Method for receiving enhanced service and display apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided are a method of receiving an enhanced service and a video display device thereof. The method includes: receiving an audio-visual (AV) content; extracting first feature information from the received AV content; receiving a database including at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the first feature information, from a first server by transmitting the extracted first feature information to the first server; storing the database received from the first server in a memory; extracting second feature information from the received AV content; and searching and obtaining one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the extracted feature information, from the database.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method of receiving an enhanced service and a video display device thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

As digital broadcasting is paving the way for its extensive spread, a broadcasting station transmits both main audio-visual (AV) contents and enhanced service data, which may be linked to the main AV contents to provide information and services or may be separately provided for other purposes.

However, a video display device in each home may unlikely receive broadcast signals directly through air under a current broadcasting environment. Rather, most of cases, a video display device in each home is connected to a broadcast receiving device to display uncompressed audio-visual contents that the broadcast receiving device provides.

Additionally, the broadcast receiving device receives contents from a server (called a Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD)). The MVPD receives a broadcast signal from a broadcasting station, extracts contents from the received broadcast signal, converts the extracted content into signals having a proper format for transmission, and provides the converted signals to a broadcast receiving device. During these processes, the MVPD may exclude extracted enhanced service data or may add another enhanced service data, so that the broadcasting station may serve to provide AV contents but may not provide enhanced services led by the broadcasting station.

Since the broadcast receiving device extracts main AV data from signal received from the MVPD and provides only uncompressed audio-visual data to a video display device, only enhanced services provided from the broadcast receiving device not the video display device are available. Furthermore, the broadcasting station may not provide enhanced services led by itself.

Additionally, even when the broadcasting station provides enhanced services through wireless channels, the enhanced services may not be provided enough due to bandwidth limitation.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a method of receiving an enhanced service and a video display device thereof which make it possible for the broadcasting station to lead enhanced services.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a method of receiving an enhanced service in a video display device playing a content includes: receiving an audio-visual (AV) content; extracting first feature information from the received AV content; receiving a database including at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the first feature information, from a first server by transmitting the extracted first feature information to the first server; storing the database received from the first server in a memory; extracting second feature information from the received AV content; and searching and obtaining one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the extracted feature information, from the database.

In another embodiment, a method of receiving an enhanced service in a video display device playing a content includes: receiving an AV content; extracting first feature information from the received AV content; receiving content information corresponding to the first feature information from a first server by transmitting the extracted first feature information to the first server; extracting second feature information from the received AV content; and receiving content information corresponding to the second feature information from the first server by transmitting the extracted second feature information in addition to the received content information from the first server to the first server.

In further another embodiment, a method of receiving an enhanced service in a video display device playing a content includes: receiving an AV content; selecting one of a plurality of content recognizing modules supporting respectively different recognizing methods according to a predetermined priority; and receiving an enhanced service corresponding to content identification information by transmitting the content identification information on the AV content obtained by using the selected content recognizing module.

In still further another embodiment, a method of receiving an enhanced service in a video display device playing a content includes: setting at least one sampling parameter to extract some samples from an AV content; obtaining a sample by sampling the AV content according to the set parameter; and receiving content identification information on the AV content from a server by transmitting the obtained sample to the server.

In still further another embodiment, a video display device playing a content includes: a receiving unit receiving an audio-visual (AV) content; a feature extracting unit extracting first feature information from the received AV content; a data transmitting/receiving unit receiving a database including at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the first feature information, from a first server by transmitting the extracted first feature information to the first server; storing the database received from the first server in a memory; and a memory storing second feature information extracted from the AV content, wherein one of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to the extracted feature information from the AV content, is obtained by searching the database. One of content information, enhanced service information, and an enhanced service, which correspond to second feature information extracted from the AV content is obtained by searching the database.

In still further another embodiment, a video display device playing a content includes: a receiving unit receiving an AV content; a feature extracting unit extracting first feature information from the received AV content; and a data transmitting/receiving unit receiving content information corresponding to the first feature information from a first server by transmitting the extracted first feature information to the first server, wherein the data transmitting/receiving unit receives content information corresponding to the second feature information from the first server by transmitting second feature information extracted from the AV content in addition to the received content information from the first server to the first server.

In still further another embodiment, a video display device playing a content includes: a receiving unit receiving an AV content; a plurality of content recognizing modules supporting respectively different recognizing methods; a control unit selecting one of the plurality of content recognizing modules according to a predetermined priority; and a data transmitting/receiving unit receiving an enhanced service corresponding to content identification information by transmitting the content identification information on the AV content obtained by using the selected content recognizing module.

In still further another embodiment, a video display device playing a content includes: a parameter setting unit setting at least one sampling parameter to extract some samples from an AV content; a receiving unit receiving an AV content; a sampling unit obtaining a sample by sampling the AV content according to the set parameter; and a data transmitting/receiving unit receiving content identification information on the received AV content by transmitting the obtained sample to a server.

Technical Effect

According to embodiments, services led by a broadcasting station are available. Especially, the embodiments provide alternative advertising services, scene associated information providing services, rating-based content services, and user attribute-based services.

According to embodiments, a database including content information related to a currently played AV content is generated in a video display device or a server, so that content recognizing speed is improved, and a network bandwidth is efficiently used.

According to embodiments, since content is recognized by selecting a plurality of content recognizing modules in a video display device according to a priority, various content recognizing manners may be available.

According to embodiments, since an AV content is sampled and transmitted to a server according to a sampling parameter negotiated with a server in advance, it is efficiently recognized according to various content recognizing manners.

Moreover, according to embodiments, information search, chatting, news search, digital media download, product catalog download, and product purchase, which are related to main AV contents, are available without inconvenient text input using a remote controller.

Additionally, according to embodiments, enhanced services exceeding the bandwidth limitation of a wireless channel become available.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the network topology according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a watermark based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a watermark based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is view illustrating a watermark based content recognition timing according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an XML schema diagram of ACR-Resulttype containing a query result according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a watermark and fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a watermark and fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the video display device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of synchronizing a play time of a main AV content with a play time of an enhanced service according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of synchronizing a play time of a main AV content with a play time of an enhanced service according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a screen when an auto playing application is executed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a screen when a content provider application is executed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a screen when a video display device manufacturer application having a resizing user interface is executed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a screen when a video display device manufacturer application having an overlay user interface is executed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a video display device manufacturer application according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a screen when an application selection menu is displayed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a screen when an all sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a screen when a participation sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a screen when a discovery sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is flowchart illustrating a searching method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a screen when a search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 32 is another screen when a search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is flowchart illustrating a chatting window displaying method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a screen when a Twitter sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.6

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a news obtaining method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a screen when a news sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 37 is flowchart illustrating a viewer list displaying method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a screen when a viewer list sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a signal flow when a video display device obtains a friends list and watching information according to an embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a signal flow when a video display device obtains a friends list and watching information according to another embodiment.

FIG. 41 is flowchart illustrating a preference displaying method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a screen when a preference display sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 is flowchart illustrating a digital media downloading method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a screen when a previous episode sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a screen when a VOD sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a screen when an application sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 47 is flowchart illustrating a catalog displaying method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a screen when a style sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a screen when a music sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a screen when another sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a view of a user interface for controlling an ACR function according to an embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a video display device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced service according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 54 to 57 are block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video display device having an internal database according to embodiments.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced service according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram illustrating an operation between a video display device and a fingerprint server according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 60 and 61 are views illustrating a method of generating a new database in a server according to an embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a block diagram illustrating an operation between a video display device and a fingerprint server according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating an operation between a video display device and a fingerprint server according to a third embodiment.

FIGS. 64 and 65 are block diagrams illustrating an operation of a video display device having a plurality of content recognizing modules.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced server according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced server according to a fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 68 and 69 are views illustrating a sampling area of a video sample according to embodiments.

FIG. 70 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of setting a sampling parameter according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 71 to 74 are views illustrating parameter values exchanged between a video display device and a server during parameter setting processes according to embodiments.

FIG. 70 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of setting a sampling parameter according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 76 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video display device sampling an AV content.

FIG. 77 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server identifying a content by using a received sample from a video display device.

FIG. 78 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a fingerprint-based video display device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 79 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a watermark-based video display device according to another embodiment.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal relating to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Noun suffixes such as “engine”, “module”, and “unit” for components in description below are given or mixed in consideration of easiness in writing the specification. That is, the noun suffixes themselves does not have respectively distinguishable meanings or roles.

A network topology will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the network topology according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network topology includes a content providing server 10, a content recognizing service providing server 20, a multi-channel video distributing server 30, an enhanced service information providing server 40, a plurality of enhanced service providing servers 50, a broadcast receiving device 60, a network 70, and a video display device 100.

The content providing server 10 may correspond to a broadcasting station and broadcasts a broadcast signal including main audio-visual contents. The broadcast signal may further include enhanced services. The enhanced services may or may not relate to main audio-visual contents. The enhanced services may have formats such as service information, metadata, additional data, compiled execution files, web applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents, XML documents, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) documents, audio files, video files, ATSC 2.0 contents, and addresses such as Uniform Resource Locator (URL). There may be at least one content providing server.

The content recognizing service providing server 20 provides a content recognizing service that allows the video display device 100 to recognize content on the basis of main audio-visual content. The content recognizing service providing server 20 may or may not edit the main audio-visual content. There may be at least one content recognizing service providing server.

The content recognizing service providing server 20 may be a watermark server that edits the main audio-visual content to insert a visible watermark, which may look a logo, into the main audio-visual content. This watermark server may insert the logo of a content provider at the upper-left or upper-right of each frame in the main audio-visual content as a watermark.

Additionally, the content recognizing service providing server 20 may be a watermark server that edits the main audio-visual content to insert content information into the main audio-visual content as an invisible watermark.

Additionally, the content recognizing service providing server 20 may be a fingerprint server that extracts feature information from some frames or some audio samples of the main audio-visual content and stores it. This feature information is called signature.

The multi-channel video distributing server 30 receives and multiplexes broadcast signals from a plurality of broadcasting stations and provides the multiplexed broadcast signals to the broadcast receiving device 60. Especially, the multi-channel video distributing server 30 performs demodulation and channel decoding on the received broadcast signals to extract main audio-visual content and enhanced service, and then, performs channel encoding on the extracted main audio-visual content and enhanced service to generate a multiplexed signal for distribution. At this point, since the multi-channel video distributing server 30 may exclude the extracted enhanced service or may add another enhanced service, a broadcasting station may not provide services led by it. There may be at least one multi-channel video distributing server.

The broadcasting device 60 may tune a channel selected by a user and receives a signal of the tuned channel, and then, performs demodulation and channel decoding on the received signal to extract a main audio-visual content. The broadcasting device decodes the extracted main audio-visual content through H.264/Moving Picture Experts Group-4 advanced video coding (MPEG-4 AVC), Dolby AC-3 or Moving Picture Experts Group-2 Advanced Audio Coding (MPEG-2 AAC) algorithm to generate an uncompressed main audio-visual (AV) content. The broadcast receiving device 60 provides the generated uncompressed main AV content to the video display device 100 through its external input port.

The enhanced service information providing server 40 provides enhanced service information on at least one available enhanced service relating to a main AV content in response to a request of a video display device. There may be at least one enhanced service providing server. The enhanced service information providing server 40 may provide enhanced service information on the enhanced service having the highest priority among a plurality of available enhanced services.

The enhanced service providing server 50 provides at least one available enhanced service relating to a main AV content in response to a request of a video display device. There may be at least one enhanced service providing server.

The video display device 100 may be a television, a notebook computer, a hand phone, and a smart phone, each including a display unit. The video display device 100 may receive an uncompressed main AV content from the broadcast receiving device 60 or a broadcast signal including an encoded main AV content from the contents providing server 10 or the multi-channel video distributing server 30. The video display device 100 may receive a content recognizing service from the content recognizing service providing server 20 through the network 70, an address of at least one available enhanced service relating to a main AV content from the enhanced service information providing server 40 through the network 70, and at least one available enhanced service relating to a main AV content from the enhanced service providing server 50.

At least two of the content providing server 10, the content recognizing service providing server 20, the multi-channel video distributing server 30, the enhanced service information providing server 40, and the plurality of enhanced service providing servers 50 may be combined in a form of one server and may be operated by one provider.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a watermark based network topology according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the watermark based network topology may further include a watermark server 21.

As shown in FIG. 2, the watermark server 21 edits a main AV content to insert content information into it. The multi-channel video distributing server 30 may receive and distribute a broadcast signal including the modified main AV content. Especially, a watermark server may use a digital watermarking technique described below.

A digital watermark is a process for inserting information, which may be almost undeletable, into a digital signal. For example, the digital signal may be audio, picture, or video. If the digital signal is copied, the inserted information is included in the copy. One digital signal may carry several different watermarks simultaneously.

In visible watermarking, the inserted information may be identifiable in a picture or video. Typically, the inserted information may be a text or logo identifying a media owner. If a television broadcasting station adds its logo in a corner of a video, this is an identifiable watermark.

In invisible watermarking, although information as digital data is added to audio, picture, or video, a user may be aware of a predetermined amount of information but may not recognize it. A secret message may be delivered through the invisible watermarking.

One application of the watermarking is a copyright protection system for preventing the illegal copy of digital media. For example, a copy device obtains a watermark from digital media before copying the digital media and determines whether to copy or not on the bases of the content of the watermark.

Another application of the watermarking is source tracking of digital media. A watermark is embedded in the digital media at each point of a distribution path. If such digital media is found later, a watermark may be extracted from the digital media and a distribution source may be recognized from the content of the watermark.

Another application of invisible watermarking is a description for digital media.

A file format for digital media may include additional information called metadata and a digital watermark is distinguished from metadata in that it is delivered as an AV signal itself of digital media.

The watermarking method may include spread spectrum, quantization, and amplitude modulation.

If a marked signal is obtained through additional editing, the watermarking method corresponds to the spread spectrum. Although it is known that the spread spectrum watermark is quite strong, not much information is contained because the watermark interferes with an embedded host signal.

If a marked signal is obtained through the quantization, the watermarking method corresponds to a quantization type. The quantization watermark is weak, much information may be contained.

If a marked signal is obtained through an additional editing method similar to the spread spectrum in a spatial domain, a watermarking method corresponds to the amplitude modulation.

FIG. 3 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a watermark based network topology according to an embodiment.

First, the content providing server 10 transmits a broadcast signal including a main AV content and an enhanced service in operation S101.

The watermark server 21 receives a broadcast signal that the content providing server 10 provides, inserts a visible watermark such as a logo or watermark information as an invisible watermark into the main AV content by editing the main AV content, and provides the watermarked main AV content and enhanced service to the MVPD 30 in operation S103.

The watermark information inserted through an invisible watermark may include at least one of a watermark purpose, content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service. The watermark purpose represents one of illegal copy prevention, viewer ratings, and enhanced service acquisition.

The content information may include at least one of identification information of a content provider that provides main AV content, main AV content identification information, time information of a content interval used in content information acquisition, names of channels through which main AV content is broadcasted, logos of channels through which main AV content is broadcasted, descriptions of channels through which main AV content is broadcasted, a usage information reporting period, the minimum usage time for usage information acquisition, and available enhanced service information relating to main AV content.

If the video display device 100 uses a watermark to acquire content information, the time information of a content interval used for content information acquisition may be the time information of a content interval into which a watermark used is embedded. If the video display device 100 uses a fingerprint to acquire content information, the time information of a content interval used for content information acquisition may be the time information of a content interval where feature information is extracted. The time information of a content interval used for content information acquisition may include at least one of the start time of a content interval used for content information acquisition, the duration of a content interval used for content information acquisition, and the end time of a content interval used for content information acquisition.

The usage information reporting address may include at least one of a main AV content watching information reporting address and an enhanced service usage information reporting address. The usage information reporting period may include at least one of a main AV content watching information reporting period and an enhanced service usage information reporting period. A minimum usage time for usage information acquisition may include at least one of a minimum watching time for a main AV content watching information acquisition and a minimum usage time for enhanced service usage information extraction.

On the basis that a main AV content is watched for more than the minimum watching time, the video display device 100 acquires watching information of the main AV content and reports the acquired watching information to the main AV content watching information reporting address in the main AV content watching information reporting period.

On the basis that an enhanced service is used for more than the minimum usage time, the video display device 100 acquires enhanced service usage information and reports the acquired usage information to the enhanced service usage information reporting address in the enhanced service usage information reporting period.

The enhanced service information may include at least one of information on whether an enhanced service exists, an enhanced service address providing server address, an acquisition path of each available enhanced service, an address for each available enhanced service, a start time of each available enhanced service, an end time of each available enhanced service, a lifetime of each available enhanced service, an acquisition mode of each available enhanced service, a request period of each available enhanced service, priority information each available enhanced service, description of each available enhanced service, a category of each available enhanced service, a usage information reporting address, a usage information reporting period, and the minimum usage time for usage information acquisition.

The acquisition path of available enhanced service may be represented with IP or Advanced Television Systems Committee-Mobile/Handheld (ATSC M/H). If the acquisition path of available enhanced service is ATSC M/H, enhanced service information may further include frequency information and channel information. An acquisition mode of each available enhanced service may represent Push or Pull.

Moreover, the watermark server 21 may insert watermark information as an invisible watermark into the logo of a main AV content.

For example, the watermark server 21 may insert a barcode at a predetermined position of a logo. At this point, the predetermined position of the logo may correspond to the first line at the bottom of an area where the logo is displayed. The video display device 100 may not display a barcode when receiving a main AV content including a logo with the barcode inserted.

For example, the watermark server 21 may insert a barcode at a predetermined position of a logo. At this point, the log may maintain its form.

For example, the watermark server 21 may insert N-bit watermark information at each of the logos of M frames. That is, the watermark server 21 may insert M*N watermark information in M frames.

The MVPD 30 receives broadcast signals including watermarked main AV content and enhanced service and generates a multiplexed signal to provide it to the broadcast receiving device 60 in operation S105. At this point, the multiplexed signal may exclude the received enhanced service or may include new enhanced service.

The broadcast receiving device 60 tunes a channel that a user selects and receives signals of the tuned channel, demodulates the received signals, performs channel decoding and AV decoding on the demodulated signals to generate an uncompressed main AV content, and then, provides the generated uncompressed main AV content to the video display device 100 in operation S106.

Moreover, the content providing server 10 also broadcasts a broadcast signal including a main AV content through a wireless channel in operation S107.

Additionally, the MVPD 30 may directly transmit a broadcast signal including a main AV content to the video display device 100 without going through the broadcast receiving device 60 in operation S108.

The video display device 100 may receive an uncompressed main AV content through the broadcast receiving device 60. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal through a wireless channel, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal from the MVPD 30, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. The video display device 100 extracts watermark information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the obtained main AV content. If watermark information corresponds to a logo, the video display device 100 confirms a watermark server address corresponding to a logo extracted from a corresponding relationship between a plurality of logos and a plurality of watermark server addresses. When the watermark information corresponds to the logo, the video display device 100 cannot identify the main AV content only with the logo. Additionally, when the watermark information does not include content information, the video display device 100 cannot identify the main AV content but the watermark information may include content provider identifying information or a watermark server address. When the watermark information includes the content provider identifying information, the video display device 100 may confirm a watermark server address corresponding to the content provider identifying information extracted from a corresponding relationship between a plurality of content provider identifying information and a plurality of watermark server addresses. In this manner, when the video display device 100 cannot identify a main AV content the video display device 100 only with the watermark information, it accesses the watermark server 21 corresponding to the obtained watermark server address to transmit a first query in operation S109.

The watermark server 21 provides a first reply to the first query in operation S111. The first reply may include at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service.

If the watermark information and the first reply do not include an enhanced service address, the video display device 100 cannot obtain enhanced service. However, the watermark information and the first reply may include an enhanced service address providing server address. In this manner, the video display device 100 does not obtain a service address or enhanced service through the watermark information and the first reply. If the video display device 100 obtains an enhanced service address providing server address, it accesses the enhanced service information providing server 40 corresponding to the obtained enhanced service address providing server address to transmit a second query including content information in operation S119.

The enhanced service information providing server 40 searches at least one available enhanced service relating to the content information of the second query. Later, the enhanced service information providing server 40 provides to the video display device 100 enhanced service information for at least one available enhanced service as a second reply to the second query in operation S121.

If the video display device 100 obtains at least one available enhanced service address through the watermark information, the first reply, or the second reply, it accesses the at least one available enhanced service address to request enhanced service in operation S123, and then, obtains the enhanced service in operation S125.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a watermark based content recognition timing according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the broadcast receiving device 60 is turned on and tunes a channel, and also, the video display device 100 receives a main AV content of the turned channel from the broadcast receiving device 60 through an external input port 111, the video display device 100 may sense a content provider identifier (or a broadcasting station identifier) from the watermark of the main AV content. Then, the video display device 100 may sense content information from the watermark of the main AV content on the basis of the sensed content provider identifier.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection available period of the content provider identifier may be different from that of the content information. Especially, the detection available period of the content provider identifier may be shorter than that of the content information. Through this, the video display device 100 may have an efficient configuration for detecting only necessary information.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the network topology may further include a fingerprint server 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fingerprint server 22 does not edit a main AV content, but extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the main AV content and stores the extracted feature information. Then, when receiving the feature information from the video display device 100, the fingerprint server 22 provides an identifier and time information of an AV content corresponding to the received feature information.

FIG. 6 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

First, the content providing server 10 transmits a broadcast signal including a main AV content and an enhanced service in operation S201.

The fingerprint server 22 receives a broadcast signal that the content providing server 10, extracts a plurality of feature information from a plurality of frame intervals or audio intervals of the main AV content, and establishes a database for a plurality of query results corresponding to the plurality of feature information in operation S203. The query result may include at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service.

The MVPD 30 receives broadcast signals including a main AV content and enhanced service and generates a multiplexed signal to provide it to the broadcast receiving device 60 in operation S205. At this point, the multiplexed signal may exclude the received enhanced service or may include new enhanced service.

The broadcast receiving device 60 tunes a channel that a user selects and receives signals of the tuned channel, demodulates the received signals, performs channel decoding and AV decoding on the demodulated signals to generate an uncompressed main AV content, and then, provides the generated uncompressed main AV content to the video display device 100 in operation S206.

Moreover, the content providing server 10 also broadcasts a broadcast signal including a main AV content through a wireless channel in operation S207.

Additionally, the MVPD 30 may directly transmit a broadcast signal including a main AV content to the video display device 100 without going through the broadcast receiving device 60.

The video display device 100 may receive an uncompressed main AV content through the broadcast receiving device 60. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal through a wireless channel, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal from the MVPD 30, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. The video display device 100 extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the obtained main AV content in operation S213.

The video display device 100 accesses the fingerprint server 22 corresponding to the predetermined fingerprint server address to transmit a first query including the extracted feature information in operation S215.

The fingerprint server 22 provides a query result as a first reply to the first query in operation S217. If the first reply corresponds to fail, the video display device 100 accesses the fingerprint server 22 corresponding to another fingerprint server address to transmit a first query including the extracted feature information.

The fingerprint server 22 may provide Extensible Markup Language (XML) document as a query result. Examples of the XML document containing a query result will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and Table 1.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an XML schema diagram of ACR-Resulttype containing a query result according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, ACR-Resulttype containing a query result includes ResultCode attributes and ContentID, NTPTimestamp, SignalingChannelInformation, and ServiceInformation elements.

For example, if the ResultCode attribute has 200, this may mean that the query result is successful. For example, if the ResultCode attribute has 404, this may mean that the query result is unsuccessful.

The SignalingChannelInformation element includes a SignalingChannelURL, and the SignalingChannelURL element includes an UpdateMode and PollingCycle attributes. The UpdateMode attribute may have a Pull value or a Push value.

The ServiceInformation element includes ServiceName, ServiceLogo, and ServiceDescription elements.

Table 1 illustrates an XML schema of ACR-ResultType containing the query result.

TABLE 1 <xs:complexType name=“ACR-ResultType”> <xs:sequence>  <xs:element name=“ContentID” type=“xs:anyURI”/>  <xs:element name=“NTPTimestamp” type=“xs:unsignedLong”/>  <xs:element name=“SignalingChannelInformation”> <xs:complexType>  <xs:sequence> <xs:element name=“SignalingChannelURL” maxOccurs=“unbounded”>  <xs:complexType> <xs:simpleContent>  <xs:extension base=“xs:anyURI”> <xs:attribute name=“UpdateMode”>  <xs:simpleType> <xs:restriction base=“xs:string”>  <xs:enumeration value=“Pull”/>  <xs:enumeration value=“Push”/> </xs:restriction>  </xs:simpleType> </xs:attribute> <xs:attribute name=“PollingCycle” type=“xs:unsignedInt”/>  </xs:extension> </xs:simpleContent>  </xs:complexType> </xs:element>  </xs:sequence> </xs:complexType>  </xs:element>  <xs:element name=“ServiceInformation”> <xs:complexType>  <xs:sequence> <xs:element name=“ServiceName” type=“xs:string”/> <xs:element name=“ServiceLogo” type=“xs:anyURI” minOccurs=“0”/> <xs:element name=“ServiceDescription” type=“xs:string” minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”/>  </xs:sequence> </xs:complexType>  </xs:element>  <xs:any namespace=“##other” processContents=“skip”  minOccurs=“0” maxOccurs=“unbounded”/> </xs:sequence> <xs:attribute name=“ResultCode” type=“xs:string” use=“required”/> <xs:anyAttribute processContents=“skip”/>  </xs:complexType>

As the ContentID element, an ATSC content identifier may be used as shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Syntax The Number of bits format ATSC_content_identifier( ) {  TSID 16 uimsbf  reserved 2 bslbf  end_of_day 5 uimsbf  unique_for 9 uimsbf  content_id var }

As shown in Table 2, the ATSC content identifier has a structure including TSID and a house number.

The 16 bit unsigned integer TSID carries a transport stream identifier.

The 5 bit unsigned integer end_of_day is set with an hour in a day of when a content_id value can be reused after broadcasting is finished.

The 9 bit unsigned integer unique_for is set with the number of day of when the content_id value cannot be reused.

Content_id represents a content identifier. The video display device 100 reduces unique_for by 1 in a corresponding time to end_of_day daily and presumes that content_id is unique if unique_for is not 0.

Moreover, as the ContentID element, a global service identifier for ATSC-M/H service may be used as described below.

The global service identifier has the following form.

-   -   urn:oma:bcast:iauth:atsc:service:<region>:<xsid>:<serviceid>

Here, <region> is an international country code including two characters regulated by ISO 639-2. <xsid> for local service is a decimal number of TSID as defined in <region>, and <xsid> (regional service) (major >69) is “0”. <serviceid> is defined with <major> or <minor>. <major> represent a Major Channel number, and <minor> represents a Minor Channel Number.

Examples of the global service identifier are as follows.

-   -   urn:oma:bcast:iauth:atsc:service:us:1234:5.1     -   urn:oma:bcast:iauth:atsc:service:us:0:100.200

Moreover, as the ContentID element, an ATSC content identifier may be used as described below.

The ATSC content identifier has the following form.

-   -   urn:oma:bcast:iauth:atsc:content:<region>:<xsidz>:<contentid>:<unique_for>:<end_of_day>

Here, <region> is an international country code including two characters regulated by ISO 639-2. <xsid> for local service is a decimal number of TSID as defined in <region>, and may be followed by “.”<serviceid>. <xsid> for (regional service) (major >69) is <serviceid>. <content_id> is a base64 sign of a content_id field defined in Table 2, <unique_for> is a decimal number sign of an unique_for field defined in Table 2, and <end_of_day> is a decimal number sign of an end_of_day field defined in Table 2.

Hereinafter, FIG. 6 is described again.

If the query result does not include an enhanced service address or enhanced service but includes an enhanced service address providing server address, the video display device 100 accesses the enhanced service information providing server 40 corresponding to the obtained enhanced service address providing server address to transmit a second query including content information in operation S219.

The enhanced service information providing server 40 searches at least one available enhanced service relating to the content information of the second query. Later, the enhanced service information providing server 40 provides to the video display device 100 enhanced service information for at least one available enhanced service as a second reply to the second query in operation S221.

If the video display device 100 obtains at least one available enhanced service address through the first reply or the second reply, it accesses the at least one available enhanced service address to request enhanced service in operation S223, and then, obtains the enhanced service in operation S225.

When the UpdateMode attribute has a Pull value, the video display device 100 transmits an HTTP request to the enhanced service providing server 50 through SignalingChannelURL and receives an HTTP reply including a PSIP binary stream from the enhanced service providing server 50 in response to the request. In this case, the video display device 100 may transmit the HTTP request according to a Polling period designated as the PollingCycle attribute. Additionally, the SignalingChannelURL element may have an update time attribute. In this case, the video display device 100 may transmit the HTTP request according to an update time designated as the update time attribute.

If the UpdateMode attribute has a Push value, the video display device 100 may receive update from a server asynchronously through XMLHTTPRequest API. After the video display device 100 transmits an asynchronous request to a server through XMLHTTPRequest object, if there is a change of signaling information, the server provides the signaling information as a reply through the channel. If there is limitation in session standby time, a server generates a session timeout reply and a receiver recognizes the generated timeout reply to transmit a request again, so that a signaling channel between the receiver and the server may be maintained for all time.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a watermark and fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the watermark and fingerprint based network topology may further include a watermark server 21 and a fingerprint server 22.

As shown in FIG. 8, the watermark server 21 inserts content provider identifying information into a main AV content. The watermark server 21 may insert content provider identifying information as a visible watermark such as a logo or an invisible watermark into a main AV content.

The fingerprint server 22 does not edit a main AV content, but extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the main AV content and stores the extracted feature information. Then, when receiving the feature information from the video display device 100, the fingerprint server 22 provides an identifier and time information of an AV content corresponding to the received feature information.

FIG. 9 is a ladder diagram illustrating a data flow in a watermark and fingerprint based network topology according to an embodiment.

First, the content providing server 10 transmits a broadcast signal including a main AV content and an enhanced service in operation S301.

The watermark server 21 receives a broadcast signal that the content providing server 10 provides, inserts a visible watermark such as a logo or watermark information as an invisible watermark into the main AV content by editing the main AV content, and provides the watermarked main AV content and enhanced service to the MVPD 30 in operation S303. The watermark information inserted through an invisible watermark may include at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service. The content information and enhanced service information are described above.

The MVPD 30 receives broadcast signals including watermarked main AV content and enhanced service and generates a multiplexed signal to provide it to the broadcast receiving device 60 in operation S305. At this point, the multiplexed signal may exclude the received enhanced service or may include new enhanced service.

The broadcast receiving device 60 tunes a channel that a user selects and receives signals of the tuned channel, demodulates the received signals, performs channel decoding and AV decoding on the demodulated signals to generate an uncompressed main AV content, and then, provides the generated uncompressed main AV content to the video display device 100 in operation S306.

Moreover, the content providing server 10 also broadcasts a broadcast signal including a main AV content through a wireless channel in operation S307.

Additionally, the MVPD 30 may directly transmit a broadcast signal including a main AV content to the video display device 100 without going through the broadcast receiving device 60 in operation S308.

The video display device 100 may receive an uncompressed main AV content through the broadcast receiving device 60. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal through a wireless channel, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. Additionally, the video display device 100 may receive a broadcast signal from the MVPD 30, and then, may demodulate and decode the received broadcast signal to obtain a main AV content. The video display device 100 extracts watermark information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the obtained main AV content. If watermark information corresponds to a logo, the video display device 100 confirms a watermark server address corresponding to a logo extracted from a corresponding relationship between a plurality of logos and a plurality of watermark server addresses. When the watermark information corresponds to the logo, the video display device 100 cannot identify the main AV content only with the logo. Additionally, when the watermark information does not include content information, the video display device 100 cannot identify the main AV content but the watermark information may include content provider identifying information or a watermark server address. When the watermark information includes the content provider identifying information, the video display device 100 may confirm a watermark server address corresponding to the content provider identifying information extracted from a corresponding relationship between a plurality of content provider identifying information and a plurality of watermark server addresses. In this manner, when the video display device 100 cannot identify a main AV content the video display device 100 only with the watermark information, it accesses the watermark server 21 corresponding to the obtained watermark server address to transmit a first query in operation S309.

The watermark server 21 provides a first reply to the first query in operation S311. The first reply may include at least one of a fingerprint server address, content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service. The content information and enhanced service information are described above.

If the watermark information and the first reply include a fingerprint server address, the video display device 100 extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of the obtained main AV content in operation S313.

The video display device 100 accesses the fingerprint server 22 corresponding to the fingerprint server address in the first reply to transmit a second query including the extracted feature information in operation S315.

The fingerprint server 22 provides a query result as a second reply to the second query in operation S317.

If the query result does not include an enhanced service address or enhanced service but includes an enhanced service address providing server address, the video display device 100 accesses the enhanced service information providing server 40 corresponding to the obtained enhanced service address providing server address to transmit a third query including content information in operation S319.

The enhanced service information providing server 40 searches at least one available enhanced service relating to the content information of the third query. Later, the enhanced service information providing server 40 provides to the video display device 100 enhanced service information for at least one available enhanced service as a third reply to the third query in operation S321.

If the video display device 100 obtains at least one available enhanced service address through the first reply, the second reply, or the third reply, it accesses the at least one available enhanced service address to request enhanced service in operation S323, and then, obtains the enhanced service in operation S325.

Then, referring to FIGS. 10 and 18, the video display device 100 will be described according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the video display device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the video display device 100 includes a broadcast signal receiving unit 101, a demodulation unit 103, a channel decoding unit 105, a demultiplexing unit 107, an AV decoding unit 109, an external input port 111, a play controlling unit 113, a play device 120, an enhanced service management unit 130, a data transmitting/receiving unit 141, and a memory 150.

The broadcast signal receiving unit 101 receives a broadcast signal from the content providing server 10 or MVPD 30.

The demodulation unit 103 demodulates the received broadcast signal to generate a demodulated signal.

The channel decoding unit 105 performs channel decoding on the demodulated signal to generate channel-decoded data.

The demultiplexing unit 107 separates a main AV content and enhanced service from the channel-decoded data. The separated enhanced service is stored in an enhanced service storage unit 152.

The AV decoding unit 109 performs AV decoding on the separated main AV content to generate an uncompressed main AV content.

Moreover, the external input port 111 receives an uncompressed main AV content from the broadcast receiving device 60, a digital versatile disk (DVD) player, a Blu-ray disk player, and so on. The external input port 111 may include at least one of a DSUB port, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port, a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) port, a composite port, a component port, and an S-Video port.

The play controlling unit 113 controls the play device 120 to play at least one of an uncompressed main AV content that the AV decoding unit 109 generates and an uncompressed main AV content received from the external input port 111 according to a user's selection.

The play device 120 includes a display unit 121 and a speaker 123. The display unit 21 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a 3D display.

The enhanced service management unit 130 obtains content information of the main AV content and obtains available enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information. Especially, as described above, the enhanced service management unit 130 may obtain the identification information of the main AV content on the basis of some frames or a section of audio samples of the uncompressed main AV content. This is called automatic contents recognition (ACR) in this specification.

The data transmitting/receiving unit 141 may include an Advanced Television Systems Committee-Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H) channel transmitting/receiving unit 141 a and an IP transmitting/receiving unit 141 b.

The memory 150 may include at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory such as SD or XD memory, Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The video display device 100 may operate in linkage with a web storage performing a storage function of the memory 150 in the Internet.

The memory 150 may include a content information storage unit 151, an enhanced service storage unit 152, a logo storage unit 153, a setting information storage unit 154, a bookmark storage unit 155, a user information storage unit 156, and a usage information storage unit 157.

The content information storage unit 151 stores a plurality of content information corresponding to a plurality of feature information.

The enhanced service storage unit 152 may store a plurality of enhanced services corresponding to a plurality of feature information or a plurality of enhanced services corresponding to a plurality of content information.

The logo storage unit 153 stores a plurality of logos. Additionally, the logo storage unit 153 may further store content provider identifiers corresponding to the plurality of logos or watermark server addresses corresponding to the plurality of logos.

The setting information storage unit 154 stores setting information for ACR.

The bookmark storage unit 155 stores a plurality of bookmarks.

The user information storage unit 156 stores user information. The user information may include at least one of at least one account information for at least one service, regional information, family member information, preferred genre information, video display device information, and a usage information range. The at least one account information may include account information for a usage information measuring server and account information of social network service such as Twitter and Facebook. The regional information may include address information and zip codes. The family member information may include the number of family members, each member's age, each member's sex, each member's religion, and each member's job. The preferred genre information may be set with at least one of sports, movie, drama, education, news, entertainment, and other genres. The video display device information may include information such as the type, manufacturer, firmware version, resolution, model, OS, browser, storage device availability, storage device capacity, and network speed of a video display device. Once the usage information range is set, the video display device 100 collects and reports main AV content watching information and enhanced service usage information within the set range. The usage information range may be set in each virtual channel. Additionally, the usage information measurement allowable range may be set over an entire physical channel.

The usage information providing unit 157 stores the main AV content watching information and the enhanced service usage information, which are collected by the video display device 100. Additionally, the video display device 100 analyzes a service usage pattern on the basis of the collected main AV content watching information and enhanced service usage information, and stores the analyzed service usage pattern in the usage information storage unit 157.

The enhanced service management unit 130 may obtain the content information of the main AV content from the fingerprint server 22 or the content information storage unit 151. If there is no content information or sufficient content information, which corresponds to the extracted feature information, in the content information storage unit 151, the enhanced service management unit 130 may receive additional content information through the data transmitting/receiving unit 141. Moreover, the enhanced service management unit 130 may update the content information continuously.

The enhanced service management unit 130 may obtain available enhanced service from the enhanced service providing server 50 or the enhanced service storage unit 153. If there is no enhanced service or sufficient enhanced service in the enhanced service storage unit 153, the enhanced service management unit 130 may update enhanced service through the data transmitting/receiving unit 141. Moreover, the enhanced service management unit 130 may update the enhanced service continuously.

The enhanced service management unit 130 may extracts a logo from the main AV content, and then, may make a query to the logo storage unit 155 to obtain a content provider identifier or watermark server address, which is corresponds to the extracted logo. If there is no logo or a sufficient logo, which corresponds to the extracted logo, in the logo storage unit 155, the enhanced service management unit 130 may receive an additional logo through the data transmitting/receiving unit 141. Moreover, the enhanced service management unit 130 may update the logo continuously.

The enhanced service management unit 130 may compare the logo extracted from the main AV content with the plurality of logos in the logo storage unit 155 through various methods. The various methods may reduce the load of the comparison operation.

For example, the enhanced service management unit 130 may perform the comparison on the basis of color characteristics. That is, the enhanced service management unit 130 may compare the color characteristic of the extracted logo with the color characteristics of the logos in the logo storage unit 155 to determine whether they are identical or not.

Moreover, the enhanced service management unit 130 may perform the comparison on the basis of character recognition. That is, the enhanced service management unit 130 may compare the character recognized from the extracted logo with the characters recognized from the logos in the logo storage unit 155 to determine whether they are identical or not.

Furthermore, the enhanced service management unit 130 may perform the comparison on the basis of the contour of the logo. That is, the enhanced service management unit 130 may compare the contour of the extracted logo with the contours of the logos in the logo storage unit 155 to determine whether they are identical or not.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 11 and 18, the enhanced service management unit 130 will be described according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the enhanced service management unit 130 may include an operating system 131 a, an audio driver 132 a, a video driver 133 a, a network driver 134 a, an ACR platform application program interface (API) 135 a, at least one ACR engine 136 a, an ACR daemon 137 a, an ACR middleware 138 a, and at least one ACR application 139 a.

When the enhanced service management unit 130 is used as shown in FIG. 11, a user doesn't need to necessarily recognize a channel or content and an ACR operation may be performed always.

The enhanced service management unit 130 may access an application store through the data transmitting/receiving unit 141 to download application.

The audio driver 132 a may access an audio buffer used for audio fingerprint or audio watermark.

The video driver 133 a may access a video buffer used for video fingerprint or video watermark.

The network driver 134 a allows the ACR engine 136 a to access the data transmitting/receiving unit 141.

The platform API 135 a provides API to allow the ACR engine 136 a to access the audio driver 132 a, the video driver 133 a, and the network driver 134 a.

Since a plurality of broadcasting stations or content providers use respectively different content recognizing services, the video display device 100 may include a plurality of ACR engines 136 a. That is, the video display device 100 may include an ACR engine for at least one of a plurality of video watermark extraction algorithms, a plurality of audio watermark extraction algorithms, a plurality of video signature extraction algorithms, and a plurality of audio signature extraction algorithms. The watermark based ACR engine 136 a may extract watermark information, and then, may obtain at least one of a watermark purpose, content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service from the extracted watermark information. The fingerprint based ACR engine 136 a may extract feature information in some intervals of a main AV content, and then, may obtain at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and an available enhanced service on the basis of the extracted feature information.

The ACR daemon 137 a manages at least one ACR engine 136 a. The daemon is executed continuously to process a periodic service request. The daemon appropriately delivers the collected requests to allow another program to process them. The ACR daemon 137 a may manage the execution and termination of the ACR engine 136 a. The ACR daemon 137 a searches an ACR engine matching to a current main AV content among a plurality of ACR engines 136 a. Especially, if a system resource is consumed greatly because several ACR engines are executed, the ACR daemon 137 a sequentially executes the plurality of ACR engines 136 a one by one according to a specific rule or priority to confirm whether content recognition is successful. Additionally, if one of the plurality of ACR engines 136 a is successful in content recognition, the ACR daemon 137 a obtains and executes an ACR application 139 a corresponding to an enhanced service for the recognized content. While the ACR engine 136 a performs the content recognition successfully, if contents are not recognized any more due to a channel change, the ACR daemon 137 a may terminate the ACR application 139 a.

The ACR middleware 138 a serves as a browser for at least one ACR application 139 a.

The ACR application 139 a may provide user experience enhanced by ACR to a user. The ACR application 139 a may be an application downloaded from an application store or the Internet or may be a simple Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The ACR application 139 a may provide content target advertisement, a content provider portal service, a program specific service such as electronic program guide (EPG), or a content provider specific service. While the ACR application 139 a interact with the ACR engine 136 a through the ACR application, it receives content information or signature from the ACR engine 136 a and additionally obtains an enhanced service corresponding to the content information or signature to play them in the play device 120. For this, an ACR application interface that the ACR application 139 a uses is shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Name description Method String getContentID( ) Return recognized content id, or undefined if content has not been recognized. Date getTiming( ) Return time stamp, or undefined if content has not been recognized or time stamp is unavailable. String getSignature( ) Return the signature captured, or undefined if capturing of the signature has failed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

When the broadcast receiving device 60 and the video display device 100 are turned on and the external input port 111 of the video display device 100 is selected, the ACR daemon 137 a obtains the content information of a main AV content broadcasted in a tuned channel through at least one ACR engine 136 a in operation S401.

Then, the ACR daemon 137 a obtains an available enhanced service relating to the content information in operation S403.

The ACR daemon 137 a executes the obtained enhanced service in background in operation S405.

The ACR daemon 137 a displays a color button on the display unit 121 to notify a user that enhanced service is available in operation S407.

When the ACR daemon 137 a receives the use of the enhanced service, it plays the enhanced service executed in background in the play device 120 in operation S409.

If a change or main AV content is changed, the ACR daemon 137 a recognizes a change through at least one ACR engine 136 a and terminates the enhanced service in operation S411.

FIG. 13 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the enhanced service management unit 130 may include an operating system 131 b, an audio driver 132 b, a video driver 133 b, a network driver 134 b, an ACR platform application program interface (API) 135 b, at least one ACR engine 136 b, an ACR engine management unit 137 b, an ACR middleware 138 b, and at least one ACR application 139 b.

When the enhanced service management unit 130 is used as shown in FIG. 13, a user may need to necessarily recognize a channel or content. However, since the number of queries for ACR may be reduced, server overhead may be decreased.

The audio driver 132 b, the video driver 133 b, the network driver 134 b, the ACR platform API 135 b, the at least one ACR engine 136 b, and the ACR middleware 138 b in the enhanced service management unit 130 of FIG. 13 are identical or similar to those 132 a, 133 a, 134 a, 135 a, 136 a, and 138 a in the enhanced service management unit 130 FIG. 11. Therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The ACR engine management unit 137 b manages a list of at least one ACR engine 136 b and provides a selection interface of the ACR engine 136 b to the ACR application 139 b.

The ACR application 139 b may provide user experience enhanced by ACR to a user. The ACR application 139 b may be an application downloaded from an application store or the Internet or may be a simple Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The ACR application 139 b may provide content target advertisement, a content provider portal service, a program specific service such as electronic program guide (EPG), or a content provider specific service.

While the ACR application 139 b interacts with the ACR engine management unit 137 b through the ACR application interface of the ACR middleware 138 b, it may select the ACR engine 136 b to be used. For this, the ACR application interface that the ACR application 139 b uses is shown in Table 4 and Table 5 below.

TABLE 4 Name description Property readonly ACRCollection List of ACR engines installed acrCollection in the Receiver Method ACR getACR(String acrId) Return an ACR object matched with ACR Id, or undefined if no item matched is found. The argument acrid means the unique identifier of the ACR engine/solution. ACRCollection Return the whole set of ACR getAllACR( ) objects installed in the Receiver, or undefined if no ACR is present at the Receiver.

TABLE 5 Name description Property readonly Integer length The number of ACR engines in the collection Method ACR item(Integer index) Return the ACR object at position index in the collection, or undefined if no item is present at that position. The argument index means the index of the item that shall be returned.

While the ACR application 139 b interacts with the ACR engine 136 b through the ACR application interface of the ACR middleware 138 b, it controls the ACR engine 136 b, and receives content information or signature from the ACR engine 136 b to additionally obtain an enhanced service corresponding to the content information or signature. Then, the ACR application 139 b plays them in the play device 120. For this, the ACR application interface that the ACR application 139 b uses is shown in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Name description Property readonly String acrId the unique id of the ACR engine readonly String name short name of ACR engine readonly String description Description of ACR engine readonly Integer acrType FP or WM readonly Integer components used for ACR acrComponent (audio, video and both) readonly String content Id for WM readonly Date timing for WM function onSignatureCaptured(String signature) Constant ACR_FINGERPRINT = 1 ACR done by fingerprint technology ACR_WATERMARK = 2 ACR done by watermark technology ACR_AUDIO = 1 Audio component is used for the content recognition. ACR_VIDEO = 2 Video component is used for the content recognition. ACR_AUDIO_VIDEO = 3 Both audio/video components are used. Method Boolean Initialize( ) Initialize the ACR object. Boolean Finalize( ) Destroy the ACR object. Boolean startACR( ) Start ACR engine in order to get ready to content recognition. Boolean stopACR( ) Stop the ACR engine. Boolean getSignature( ) for FP String getContentId( ) for WM String getTiming( ) for WM String getALSURL( ) for WM Boolean setAudioAlgorithm (Integer audioNumCh, Interget audioSampleRate, Integer audioNumSamples, Integer audioBitPerSample) Boolean setVideoAlgorithm (Integer videoNumFrames, RECT screenRect)

Thus, one example of a fingerprint sample code of a content provider related application using such an ACR application interface is shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 <HEAD> <title>NBCU app</title> <meta name=“acr ” content=“zeitera-fp-audio”/> <meta name=“appAttribute” content=“CP”/> <object type=“application/x-acr” id=“ACRSol” / > <object type=“application/x-acrfactory” id=“ACRFac” / > <script type=“text/javascript”> var aspfpURL= “www.zeitera.com/fp-audio”; var acrSol = get ElementbyID(ACRSol); var acrFac = get ElementbyID(ACRFac); acrSol=acrFac.getACR(“zeitera-fp-audio”); if(acrSol == null) return; acrSol.Initialize( ); while ( ) { // for FP  var signature = acrSol.getSignature( );  if (signature == null) continue;  var res = sendRequest(aspfpURL, signature); // 1st query if (res.contentID.substring(0, 3) == “NBCU” ) { // CP matching success var res2 = sendRequest(res.alsURL); // 2nd query if (res2.asURL) {  // launch specific app application with this appURL } } } </script> </HEAD> <BODY> ... </BODY>

Thus, one example of a fingerprint sample code of a content provider related application using such an ACR application interface is shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 <HEAD> <title>NBCU Heros app</title> <meta name=“acr ” content=“zeitera-fp-audio”/> <meta name=“appAttribute” content=“Program”/> <object type=“application/x-acr” id=“ACRSol” / > <object type=“application/x-acrfactory” id=“ACRFac” / > <script type=“text/javascript”> var aspfpURL= “www.zeitera.com/fp-audio”; var acrSol = get ElementbyID(ACRSol); var acrFac = get ElementbyID(ACRFac); acrSol=acrFac.getACR(“zeitera-fp-audio”); if(acrSol == null) return; acrSol.Initialize( ); while ( ) { // for FP  var signature = acrSol.getSignature( );  if (signature == null) continue;  var res = sendRequest(aspfpURL, signature); // 1st query if (res.contentID.substring(0, 9) == “NBCU-Heros” ) { // Program matching success var res2 = sendRequest(res.alsURL, res.contentID, res.timing); // 2nd query if (res2.asURL) {  // launch specific app application with this appURL } } } </script> </HEAD> <BODY> </BODY>

Thus, one example of a watermarking sample code of a content provider related application using such an ACR application interface is shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9 <HEAD> <title>NBCU app</title> <meta name=“acr ” content=“nielsen-wm-audio”/> <meta name=“appAttribute” content=“CP”/> <object type=“application/x-acr” id=“ACRSol” / > <object type=“application/x-acrfactory” id=“ACRFac” / > <script type=“text/javascript”> var aspfpURL= “www.nielsen.com/wm-audio”; var acrSol = get ElementbyID(ACRSol); var acrFac = get ElementbyID(ACRFac); acrSol=acrFac.getACR(“nielsen-wm-audio”); if(acrSol == null) return; acrSol.Initialize( ); while ( ) { // for WM  var contentId = acrSol.getContentId( );  if (contentId == null) continue;  var alsURL = acrSol.getALSURL( );  if (contentId.substring(0, 3) == “NBCU” ) { // CP matching success var res = sendRequest(alsURL); // 2nd query if (res.asURL) {  // launch specific app application with this appURL } } } </script> </HEAD> <BODY> ... </BODY>

Thus, one example of a watermarking sample code of a content provider related application using such an ACR application interface is shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 <HEAD> <title>NBCU Heros app</title> <meta name=“acr ” content=“nielsen-wm-audio”/> <meta name=“appAttribute” content=“Program”/> <object type=“application/x-acr” id=“ACRSol” / > <object type=“application/x-acrfactory” id=“ACRFac” / > <script type=“text/javascript”> var aspfpURL= “www.nielsen.com/wm-audio”; var acrSol = get ElementbyID(ACRSol); var acrFac = get ElementbyID(ACRFac); acrSol=acrFac.getACR(“nielsen-wm-audio”); if(acrSol == null) return; acrSol.Initialize( ); while ( ) { // for WM  var contentId = acrSol.getContentId( );  if (contentId == null) continue;  var timing = acrSol.getTiming( );  var alsURL = acrSol.getALSURL( );  if (contentId.substring(0, 9) == “NBCU-Heros” ) { // Program matching success var res = sendRequest(alsURL, contentId, timing); // 2nd query if (res.asURL) {  // launch specific app application with this appURL } } } </script> </HEAD> <BODY> ... </BODY>

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

Although the broadcast receiving device 60 and the video display device 100 are turned on and the external input port 111 of the video display device 100 is selected, the video display device 100 may not perform automatic content recognition before the ACR application 139 b is executed.

Once the corresponding channel related ACR application 139 b is executed by a user recognizing a channel of a main AV content, the ACR application 139 b queries and information on the ACR engine 136 b that it uses to the ACR engine management unit 137 b and receives it in operation S501.

Then, the ACR application 139 b starts the ACR engine 136 b that it uses in operation S503 and obtains content information through the ACR engine 136 b in operation S505.

The ACR application 139 b obtains an available enhanced service relating to a main AV content through the obtained content information in operation S507, and displays a color button on the display unit 121 to notify a user that an enhanced service is available in operation S509.

When the ACR application 139 b receives the use of the enhanced service, it plays the enhanced service in the play device 120 in operation S511.

When the ACR middleware 138 b receives a user input relating to the termination of the ACR application 139 b, it terminates the ACR application 139 b in operation S513.

FIG. 15 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the enhanced service management unit 130 may include an operating system 131 c, an audio driver 132 c, a video driver 133 c, a network driver 134 c, an ACR platform API 135 c, an ACR engine 136 c, an ACR middleware 138 c, and at least one ACR application 139 c.

When the enhanced service management unit 130 is used as shown in FIG. 15, a user may need to necessarily recognize a channel or content. However, since the number of queries for ACR may be reduced, server overhead may be decreased.

The audio driver 132 c, the video driver 133 c, the network driver 134 c, the ACR platform API 135 c, and the ACR middleware 138 c in the enhanced service management unit 130 of FIG. 15 are identical or similar to those 132 a, 133 a, 134 a, 135 a, and 138 a in the enhanced service management unit 130 FIG. 11. Therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The ACR engine 136 c extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of a main AV content to transmit a query including the extracted feature information to an ACR adjustment server (not shown). The ACR adjustment server may transmit a fingerprint server address in response to the query. Additionally, the ACR adjustment server may transmit content information corresponding to the feature information together with the fingerprint server address.

When receiving the fingerprint server address from the ACR engine 136 c, the ACR application 139 c directly transmit a query, which includes the feature information that the ACR engine 136 c extracts, to the fingerprint server corresponding to the fingerprint server address. For this, the ACR application interface that the ACR application 139 c uses is shown in Table 11 below.

TABLE 11 Name Description Property Readonly String For fingerprint, signature function (String For fingerprint, signature) function pointer: pointed onSignatureCaptured function will return signature value from lower ACREngine, event driven Method Boolean getSignature( ) For fingerprint, asynchronous call to get signature, will use onSignatureCaptured Boolean getContentID( ) For watermark, Return recognized content id, or undefined if content has not been recognized. Boolean when getSignature fails several resetACREngine( ) times(ch change), app will give control to ACREngine to query back to ACRCoordinator. String getACRBackend( ) Return ACRBackend URL

Thus, one example of a fingerprint sample code using such an ACR application interface is shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 <HEAD> <title>CP app</title> <object type=“application/x-acr” id=“ACRSol” / > <script type=“text/javascript”> var acrSol = get ElementbyID(ACRSol); acrSol.onSignatureCaptured = returnSignature; var acrBE = acrSol.getACRBackend( ); function doACR( ) { acrSol.getSignature( ); setTimer(“acrTimeout”, 1000); } function acrTimeout( ) { timeout++; if(timeout > 3) acrSol.resetACREngine( ); } function returnSignature(signature) { timeout = 0; doSpecificJob(signature); } function doSpecificJob(signature) { //do specific work regarding this time } </script> </HEAD> <BODY onload=“doACR( )”> ... </BODY>

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

When the broadcast receiving device 60 and the video display device 100 are turned on and the external input port 111 of the video display device 100 is selected, the ACR engine 136 c extracts feature information from some frames or a section of audio samples of to transmit a query including the extracted feature information to an ACR adjustment server (not shown) in operation S601.

The ACR engine 136 c receives a fingerprint server address in response to the query in operation S603.

The ACR application 139 c obtains the fingerprint server address from the ACR engine 136 c through a getACRBackend( ) method.

The ACR application 139 c obtains feature information of some video frames or audio intervals of a main AV content from the ACR engine 136 c through a getSignature( )method in operation S607.

The ACR application 139 c transmits a query, which includes the obtained feature information, to a fingerprint server corresponding to the obtained fingerprint server address in operation S609.

The ACR application 139 c receives content information in response to the query in operation S611.

The ACR application 139 c obtains an available enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S613, and displays a color button on the display unit 121 to notify a user that an enhanced service is available in operation S615.

When the ACR application 139 c receives the use of the enhanced service, it plays the enhanced service in the play device 120 in operation S617.

When the ACR middleware 138 c receives a user input relating to the termination of the ACR application 139 c, it terminates the ACR application 139 c in operation S619.

FIG. 17 is a hierarchy diagram of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 17, the enhanced service management unit 130 may include an operating system 131 d, an audio driver 132 d, a video driver 133 d, a network driver 134 d, an ACR platform API 135 d, at least one ACR engine 136 d, an ACR engine management unit 137 d, an application management unit 138 d, and at least one ACR application 139 d.

When the enhanced service management unit 130 is used as shown in FIG. 17, a user doesn't need to necessarily recognize a channel or content and an ACR operation may be performed always.

The audio driver 132 d, the video driver 133 d, the network driver 134 d, the ACR platform API 135 d, and the plurality of ACR engines 136 d in the enhanced service management unit 130 of FIG. 17 are identical or similar to those 132 a, 133 a, 134 a, 135 a, and 136 a in the enhanced service management unit 130 FIG. 11. Therefore, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The ACR engine management unit 137 d confirms that the ACR engine 136 d matches to the main AV content received from the external input port 111 and confirms that the ACR engine 136 d matches to the application 139 d. At this point, the ACR engine management unit 137 d controls the plurality of ACR engines 136 d to simultaneously or sequentially perform watermark extraction or query transmission. The ACR engine management unit 137 d controls the plurality of ACR engines 136 d through priority. If one of the plurality of ACR engines 136 d is successful in recognizing a main AV content, the ACR engine management unit 137 d puts the remaining ACR engines in sleep mode and obtains the content information of the main AV content from the operating ACR engine.

While the application management unit 138 d interacts with the ACR engine management unit 137 d, it controls generation, start, stop, sleep, and termination of the ACR application.

The ACR application 139 d may be a built-in application. The ACR application 139 d may control the ACR engine 136 b through functions shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13 Name Function char *getContentID( ) calls Date getTiming( ) char *getSignature( ) Boolean registerEventListener(EvtType evtType, Boolean (*eventListener)(EvtType evtType, char *contentId, Date *timing, char *signature)); Data struct Date { Structure  int year;  int month;  int day;  int hour;  int minute;  int second;  int msecond; }; typedef enum EvtType {  EVT_PROGRAM_CHANGED,  EVT_CHANNEL_CHANGED,  EVT_ALL };

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an enhanced service management unit according to an embodiment.

When the broadcast receiving device 60 and the video display device 100 are turned on and the external input port 111 of the video display device 100 is selected, the ACR engine management unit 137 d confirms that the ACR engine 136 a matches to the main AV content received from the external input port 111 in operation S701. At this point, the ACR engine management unit 137 d controls the plurality of ACR engines 136 d to simultaneously or sequentially perform watermark extraction or query transmission. The ACR engine management unit 137 d controls the plurality of ACR engines 136 d through priority.

If one of the plurality of ACR engines 136 d is successful in recognizing a main AV content, the ACR engine management unit 137 d puts the remaining ACR engines in sleep mode in operation S702, and obtains the content information of the main AV content from the operating ACR engine in operation S703.

Then, the ACR engine management unit 137 d confirms an available application relating to content information in operation S704, and requests the execution of the confirmed application 139 d to the application management unit 138 d.

The application management unit 138 d executes the confirmed application 139 d in background in operation S705.

The application 139 d executed in background displays a color button on the display unit 121 to notify a user that enhanced service is available in operation S707.

When the application 139 d executed in background receives the use of the enhanced service from a user, it plays the enhanced service in the play device 120 in operation S709.

If a channel or main AV content is changed in operation S710, the ACR engine management unit 137 d confirms the ACR engine 136 a matching to the application 139 d and connects the confirmed ACR engine 136 a to the application 139 d in operation S711. At this point, the ACR engine management unit 137 d controls the plurality of ACR engines 136 d to simultaneously or sequentially perform watermark extraction or query transmission.

If the application management unit 138 d receives a user input for the termination of the application 139 d in operation S712, it terminates the application 139 d in operation S713.

Then, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a method of synchronizing a play time of a main AV content with a play time of an enhanced service according to an embodiment will be described.

Then, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a method of synchronizing a play time of a main AV content with a play time of an enhanced service according to an embodiment will be described.

Enhanced service information may include a start time of an enhanced service. At this point, the video display device 100 may need to start the enhanced service at the start time. However, since the video display device 100 receives a signal transmitting an uncompressed main AV content with no time stamp, the reference time of a plying time of the main AV content is different from that of a start time of the enhanced service. Although the video display device 100 receives a main AV content having time information, the reference time of a plying time of the main AV content may be different from that of a start time of the enhanced service, like rebroadcasting. Accordingly, the video display device 100 may need to synchronize the reference time of the main AV content with that of the enhanced service. Especially, the video display device 100 may need to synchronize the play time of the main AV content with the start time of the enhanced service.

First, the enhanced service management unit 130 extracts some intervals of a main AV content in operation S801. The some intervals of the main AV content may include at least one of some video frames or audio intervals of the main AV content. Time that the enhanced service management unit 130 extracts some intervals of the main AV content is designated as Tn.

The enhanced service management unit 130 obtains content information of a main AV content on the basis of the extracted interval. In more detail, the enhanced service management unit 130 decodes information encoded with invisible watermark in the extracted intervals to obtain content information. Additionally, the enhanced service management unit 130 may extract feature information in the extracted interval, and obtain the content information of the main AV content from the fingerprint server 22 or the content information storage unit 151 on the basis of the extracted feature information. Time that the enhanced service management unit 130 obtains the content information is designated as Tm.

Moreover, the content information includes a start time Ts of the extracted interval. After the content information acquisition time Tm, the enhanced service management unit 130 synchronizes the play time of the main AV content with the start time of the enhanced service on the biases of Ts, Tm, and Tn. In more detail, the enhanced service management unit 130 regards the content information acquisition time Tm as a time Tp calculated by the following Equation 1.

Tp=Ts+(Tm−Tn)  [Equation 1]

Additionally, the enhanced service management unit 130 regards a time of when Tx elapses after the content information acquisition time as Tp+Tx.

Then, the enhanced service management unit 130 obtains an enhanced service and its start time Ta on the obtained content information in operation S807.

If the synchronized play time of the main AV content is identical to the start time Ta of the enhanced service, the enhanced service management unit 130 starts the obtained enhanced service in operation S809. In more detail, the enhanced service management unit 130 may start the enhanced service when the following Equation 2 is satisfied.

Tp+Tx=Ta  [Equation 2]

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of synchronizing a play time of a main AV content with a play time of an enhanced service according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the video display device 100 extracts an AV sample during a system time Tn.

The video display device 100 extracts feature information from the extracted AV sample, and transmits a query including the extracted feature information to the fingerprint server 22 to receive a query result. The video display device 100 confirms whether a start time Ts of the extracted AV sample corresponds to 11000 ms at Tm by parsing the query result.

Accordingly, the video display device 100 regards the time of when the start time of the extracted AV sample is confirmed according to Equation 1 as Ts+(Tm−Tn), so that, after that, the play time of the main AV content may be synchronized with the start time of the enhanced service.

Next, an ACR application will be described according to various embodiments with reference to FIGS. 21 to 50.

The ACR application may include an auto playing application, a content provider application, and a video display device manufacturer application.

FIG. 21 is a screen when an auto playing application is executed according to an embodiment.

The auto playing application automatically plays an enhanced service even when a user makes no action. In this sense, the auto playing application is designated as a lean back application in this specification.

The auto playing application automatically plays an enhanced service such as scene related information that a content provider or broadcasting station provides during playing of the main AV content according to a play time of the main AV content, without a user's input. That is, a content provider or broadcasting station entirely controls the auto playing application.

As shown in FIG. 21, once the auto playing application is executed, the screen 200 may include a sub screen 210 where a reduced main AV content is played and a sub screen 220 where additional information is displayed. The sub screen 200 where additional information is displayed may be spatially separated from the sub screen 210 where a main AV content is played.

Moreover, when an auto playing application is executed, an area where additional information is displayed may be semi-transparent. In this case, the area where additional information is displayed may overlay on an area where a main AV content played.

FIG. 22 is a screen when a content provider application is executed according to an embodiment.

In this specification, the content provider application is designated as a full interactive application.

As shown in FIG. 22 (A), the video display device 100 downloads and stores a plurality of applications. FIG. 22 (A) illustrates icons 230 of the applications. A content provider application among the plurality of applications is an application created and distributed by a content provider, and thus, may be under control of the content provider.

A user of the video display device 100 may download a content provider application from an application store and determines whether to execute the downloaded content provider application.

FIG. 22 (B) is a screen when a content provider application is executed. As shown in FIG. 22 (B), the screen 200 may include the sub screen 210 where a reduced main AV content is played and the sub screen 220 where additional information is displayed.

Hereinafter, a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 23 to 50.

The video display device manufacturer application is created and controlled by a video display device manufacturer, and may be stored in advance when the video display device 100 is manufactured. That is, the video display device manufacturer application may provide the same service and user interface regardless of a content provider or content.

The video display device manufacturer application may include an area where an enhanced service that a content provider provides is displayed and an area where an enhanced service that a video display device manufacturer provides is displayed, separately. A user of the video display device 100 may determine whether to execute the video display device manufacturer application.

The video display device manufacturer application may have two types.

The video display device manufacturer application of the first type has a resizing user interface. The video display device manufacturer application having the resizing user interface reduces the size of an area where a main AV content is displayed to display all the main AV content in a reduced area. Additionally, the video display device manufacturer application having the resizing user interface reshapes an area where an application is displayed with an L or inverse-L shaped structure.

The video display device manufacturer application of the second type has an overlay user interface. The video display device manufacturer application having the overlay user interface maintains the size of an area where a main AV content is displayed, and overlaps an area where an application is displayed on the main AV content. Since the area where an application is displayed covers the main AV content, an application area may be semi-transparent.

FIG. 23 is a screen when a video display device manufacturer application having a resizing user interface is executed according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 23, the screen 300 of when a video display device manufacturer application having a resizing user interface is executed includes a main content area 310 where a main AV content is displayed, a main menu area 320 where a main menu is displayed, a notification area 330 where a notification message is displayed, a control button area 340 where a control button is displayed to control the video display device manufacturer application, a sub menu area 350 where a sub menu is displayed, an additional information area 360 where additional information is displayed, and an advertisement area 370 where advertisement is displayed.

The control button area 340 includes an ending button 341 for ending the video display device manufacturer application, a hiding button 342 for hiding the video display device manufacturer application, and a back button 343 for returning to previous information.

In the video display device manufacturer application having the resizing user interface, the main AV content area 310 is disposed on the top-left of the screen 300; the main menu area 320 and the notification area 330 is disposed on the bottom of the main AV content area 310; the control button area 340 is disposed on the top-left; the sub menu area 350 is disposed between the control button area 340 and the additional information area 360; the advertisement area 370 is disposed on the bottom-right; and the additional information area 360 is disposed between the sub menu area 350 and the advertisement area 370. However, their positions may vary.

FIG. 24 is a screen when a video display device manufacturer application having an overlay user interface is executed according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 24, like the video display device manufacturer application having the resizing user interface, the screen 300 of when the video display device manufacturer application having the overlay user interface is executed includes a main content area 310 where a main AV content is displayed, a main menu area 320 where a main menu is displayed, a notification area 330 where a notification message is displayed, a control button area 340 where a control button is displayed to control the video display device manufacturer application, a sub menu area 350 where a sub menu is displayed, an additional information area 360 where additional information is displayed, and an advertisement area 370 where advertisement is displayed.

In the video display device manufacturer application having the overlay user interface, the main AV content area 310 is disposed on the top-left of the screen 300; the main menu area 320 and the notification area 330 is disposed on the bottom of the main AV content area 310; the control button area 340 is disposed on the top-left; the sub menu area 350 is disposed between the control button area 340 and the additional information area 360; the advertisement area 370 is disposed on the bottom-right; and the additional information area 360 is disposed between the sub menu area 350 and the advertisement area 370. However, their positions may vary.

Hereinafter, a video display device manufacturer application having a resizing user interface will be mainly described.

The video display device manufacturer application receives necessary information from an ACR engine built in the video display device 100 and has two types of menus largely according to its character.

The first type menu is for a time insensitive enhanced service. That is, when a menu relating to the time insensitive enhanced service is selected, the video display device 100 obtains an identifier of a main AV content that is currently played on a screen, obtains an enhanced service on the basis of the obtained identifier, and displays the obtained enhanced service on the additional information area 360. Examples of such a time insensitive enhanced service includes titles, genres, actors, directors, and other people's evaluations, short clips, and short explanations. Through this basic information, the video display device 100 may search additional information, link to a social network service such as Facebook and Twitter, or provide a recommended service and a related advertisement.

The second type menu is for a time sensitive enhanced service. That is, when a menu relating to the time sensitive enhanced service is selected, the video display device 100 obtains an identifier and play time information of a main AV content that is currently played on a screen, obtains a time sensitive enhanced service on the basis of the obtained identifier and play time information, and displays the obtained enhanced service on the additional information area 360.

The main menu of the video display device manufacturer application includes a program menu, an information menu, a social menu, a recommendation menu, and a catalogue menu. Among these, the time insensitive menu includes the information menu, the social menu, the recommendation menu, and the catalogue menu, and the time sensitive menu includes the program menu. If the time insensitive menu is selected, the time sensitive application may be called. Other than these five main menus, other main menus may be added. If each main menu is selected, a sub menu of the selected main menu is displayed on the sub menu area 350.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a video display device manufacturer application according to an embodiment.

When receiving a user input corresponding to an application selection menu display through pressing of a specific key of a remote controller, shaking of a motion remote controller in a downward direction, zooming of the cursor of a motion remote controller in the bottom direction of the screen while a main AV content is played in operation S901, the video display device 100 displays an application selection menu of FIG. 26 in operation S903.

FIG. 26 is a screen when an application selection menu is displayed according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 26, the application selection menu 380 is disposed at the bottom of the screen 300. The application selection menu 380 may be semi-transparent.

The application selection menu 380 includes execution icons of a plurality of applications installed in the video display device 100. One icon of the displayed execution icons corresponds to the execution icon of the video display device manufacturer application.

When receiving a user input corresponding to an icon selection of the video display device manufacturer application through manipulating of the left and right arrow keys in a remote controller or moving of the cursor according to a movement of a motion remote controller in operation S905, the video display device 100 executes the video display device manufacturer application in operation S907. Through this, a user may immediately execute the application if he/she wants without access to an application store while watching a main AV content.

Once the video display device manufacturer application is executed, its main menu is displayed. If a program menu is selected by default, its sub menu is displayed on the sub menu area 350. An all sub menu is selected by default among the sub menus of the program menu. Focus is made on the all sub menu. As time elapses, an enhanced service displayed on the additional information area 360 is automatically updated. The <-button is used for returning to a previous menu and the X button is used for returning to an entire screen after closing the video display device manufacturer application.

Then, a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29.

The program main menu is a menu for displaying an application, which is time-related to a main AV content that is being played, on the additional information area 360. Enhanced service information for displaying an application linking with the main AV content may be provided from a content owner such as TV broadcasters. The video display device 100 analyzes the enhanced service information to display a corresponding application in the additional information area 360 at the right timing. UI in a screen is shown in the drawing below.

The program menu includes an all sub menu, a participation sub menu, and a discovery sub menu.

The all sub menu is a menu for displaying all applications related to the participation sub menu and discovery sub menu on the additional information area 360. The participation sub menu is a menu for displaying an application inducing program participation such as voting in a program. The discovery sub menu is a menu for displaying an application such as scene related information. The sub menu of the program menu may be added or edited according to contents of an application that a content owner wants.

FIG. 27 is a screen when an all sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

When the all sub menu, i.e., the first sub menu of the program main menu, is selected, the video display device 100 displays all applications related to the participation sub menu and display sub menu on the additional information area 360.

When the all sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 displays an application or event synchronized with a specific time on the additional information area 360. If there is no application synchronized with a specific time, the video display device 100 may leave the additional information area 350 as empty space. However, since the empty space may not give motivation for additional interaction to a user, if there is no application synchronized with a specific time, the video display device 100 may gather applications or events that occur prior to now in order to display a history.

When a user enters into the video display device manufacturer application, it may be seen that the user may have an intention to perform an interactive application related to a main AV content while watching the main AV content. While navigating several menus, a user may not watch an event at a specific time. Especially, when a user navigates menus for time insensitive enhanced services, the above case may likely occur. Therefore, after entering into the video display device manufacturer application, if a time sensitive event occurs during navigation, the video display device 100 displays a notification message for this on the notification area 330 to notify a user that there is a special event at the current time broadcasted from a broadcasting station.

While a user confirms music information or place information through the video display device manufacturer application, a time linked application occurs, the video display device 100 displays a notification message on the notification area 330. When receiving a user input corresponding to the Go To button press, the video display device 100 enters into a sub menu related to an occurring time linked application and displays the occurring time linked application on the additional information area 360. The notification message may be a text message. Additionally, the video display device 100 may display an amount of the delivered application as a number. The notification message may be delivered to a viewer in a Push method.

FIG. 28 is a screen when a participation sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 28, once the participation sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 displays an application inducing viewer participation such as voting on the additional information area 360. If a viewer participation application occurs, the video display device 100 displays it on the additional information area 360. If the viewer participation application is voting, the video display device 100 may display voting questions and voting results. Moreover, the video display device 100 displays current events and also previous events that the viewer participates on the bottom of the current event, for the viewer's convenience.

FIG. 29 is a screen when a discovery sub menu of a program main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 29, once the discovery sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 displays all time linked applications besides a viewer participation application on the additional information area 360. For example, the video display device 100 displays scene related information on products or places shown in a main AV content. The video display device 100 may display current scene related information and previous scene related information simultaneously.

Moreover, the video display device 100 may display a notification message that there is a time linked application or event on a sub menu. For example, if a viewer participation application occurs, the video display device 100 displays an icon having a flashing N on the participation sub menu to induce viewer participation. If a user does not respond to the notification for a predetermined time, the video display device 100 may remove the notification.

Hereinafter, an information main menu of a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 30 to 36.

The information main menu corresponds to a time insensitive area. Like the UI of the program main menu, the information main menu does not operate in a UI manner that an application is automatically displayed and disappears at a specific time. Of course, although the above-mentioned time linked application may be displayed through this menu, when a main menu other than the program main menu is selected, a second service such as search service or Twitter service may be linked.

The information main menu includes a search sub menu, a Twitter sub menu, and a news sub menu.

Then, a search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 30 to 32.

FIG. 30 is flowchart illustrating a searching method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals.

Once the search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1002, the video display device 100 obtains a search list including a plurality of search items corresponding to an enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1003. The search list includes at least one of genres, actors, directors, places, and products.

The video display device 100 displays the search list on the additional information area 360 in operation S1007. A display example of the search list will be described with reference to FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 is a screen when a search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 31, the search list includes characters of a main AV content. The video display device 100 may display at least one of pictures or names of a search item on the additional information area 360.

When one of a plurality of search items is selected through the cursor of a remote controller in operation S1009, the video display device 100 searches information on the selected search item in operation S1011. At this point, the video display device 100 may use an internet search engine such as Google. Moreover, the video display device 100 may use information such as Tribune media or IMDb.

The video display device 100 displays the searched information on the additional information area 360 in operation S1013. Since the searched result is automatically retrieved through programming such as Open API of a service provider, time for a screen design may be greatly saved. A display example of the search information will be described with reference to FIG. 32.

FIG. 32 is another screen when a search sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 32, the video display device 100 displays a search result for the selected search item on the additional information area 360. Moreover, the video display device positions a Twitter button and an edit button on the additional information area 360 to follow an actor's Twitter or edit an actor's profile such as filmography or biography.

Like this, if the searching method according to an embodiment is used, information related to a main AV data may be searched through one click, so that an effort to input a search word may be reduced.

Next, a Twitter sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 33 to 34.

FIG. 33 is flowchart illustrating a chatting window displaying method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1101.

Once a Twitter sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1102, the video display device 100 obtains a Twitter chatting list corresponding to an enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1103. The video display device 100 writes a program name on Hashtag of Twitter to load a Twitter chatting list related to the program. This chatting list is linked to Twitter and is continuously updated in real time.

The video display device 100 displays one chatting window in the Twitter chatting list on the additional information area 360 through a user selection or automatically in operation S1107. A display example of the chatting window will be described with reference to FIG. 34.

FIG. 34 is a screen when a Twitter sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.6

As shown in FIG. 34, the video display device 100 displays a chatting window on the additional information area 360 to support chatting between viewers watching the same program.

When a program is broadcasted, a user of the program may directly write a message in a chatting room actually. If the video display device 100 has a log in mechanism like Smart TV, a user of the video display device 100 may immediately start chatting with his own ID in a logged in state when entering into a menu. If it is inconvenient to make an input to the video display device 100 through a remote controller, the video display device 100 may display only a chatting message. If the video display device 100 is linked to a second device such as Smart Phone or tablet, a message may be typed using the input device of the second device. Although information in Hashtag is a program name basically, it may be selected as a tag of actors or directions, i.e., the above-mentioned another basic information, so that a user may selectively participate in chatting of a corresponding subject.

Next, a news sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 35 to 36.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a news obtaining method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1201.

Once the news sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1202, the video display device 100 obtains news corresponding to an enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1203. At this point, the news may or may not relate to a main AV content. Or, the news may be provided from a broadcaster of a main AV content. If the broadcaster does not provide news through Open API, the video display device 100 may receive news through News feeds of an internet service such as Google or Yahoo.

The video display device 100 displays the obtained news on the additional information area 360 in operation S1207. A display example of news will be described with reference to FIG. 36.

FIG. 36 is a screen when a news sub menu of an information main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 36, the video display device 100 may display the obtained news on the additional information area 360.

Hereinafter, a social main menu of a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 37 to 42.

The social main menu corresponds to a time insensitive area. Like the UI of the program main menu, the social main menu does not operate in a UI manner that an application is automatically displayed and disappears at a specific time. Of course, although the above-mentioned time linked application may be displayed through this menu, when a main menu other than the program main menu is selected, a second service such as Facebook may be linked.

The social main menu includes a viewer list sub menu and a preference display sub menu.

Then, a viewer list sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 37 to 40.

FIG. 37 is flowchart illustrating a viewer list displaying method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1301.

Once a viewer list sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1302, the video display device 100 obtains information on a friends list and whether each friend watches a main AV content on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1303. The video display device 100 may be linked with a social network service such as Facebook to obtain a list of friends watching a main AV content.

The video display device 100 displays the obtained viewer list on the additional information area 360 in operation S1307. A display example of the viewer list will be described with reference to FIG. 38.

FIG. 38 is a screen when a viewer list sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 38, the video display device 100 may display the pictures and names of the viewers corresponding to the obtained viewer list on the additional information area 360.

Especially, the video display device 100 may display a friends list together with whether each friend watches contents or only a list of friends watching contents currently.

When one friend is selected from the displayed friends list in operation S1309, the video display device 100 confirms whether the selected friend watches a main AV content in operation S1311.

If the selected friend watches the main AV content, the video display device 100 displays the chatting window of the selected friend on the additional information are 360 in operation S1313.

Additionally, if the selected friend does not watch the main AV content, the video display device 100 sends a message recommending watching the main AV content to the e-mail or mobile phone of the selected friend in operation S1315. Even if the selected friend does not watch the main AV content, the video display device 100 may display the chatting window of the selected friend on the additional information are 360.

For chatting, a user may use the remote controller of the video display device 100 or the input device of the second device connected to the video display device 100, and may chat with friends through a social network service application of a smart phone regardless of the video display device 100. In any cases, a chatting screen of the social network service may be displayed on the screen of the video display device 100. Through buttons for evaluating a program, a user may send his/her intention to friends. For example, a user may notify friends that he/she currently watches a main AV content and may recommend friends who do not watch the main AV content currently to watch it through a “good” button.

Like this, the video display device 100 automatically realizes who is watching which program by using an ACR technique through a viewer list sub menu. In order to confirm who is watching which program, a user needs to log in. Once an account for log in is registered in the video display device 100, each time the video display device 100 is turned on, a user may log in automatically. Therefore, the video display device 100 may realize who is watching a main AV content.

FIG. 39 is a signal flow when a video display device obtains a friends list and watching information according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 39, if a video display device of a friend A plays a main AV content A, it transmits an identifier of the main AV content A and an identifier of the friend A to the SNS providing server 75 in operation S1401.

Additionally, if a video display device of a friend B plays the main AV content A, it transmits an identifier of the main AV content A and an identifier of the friend B to the SNS providing server 75 in operation S1403.

If the video display device 100 plays the main AV content A, it transmits a user ID and an identifier of the main AV content A to the SNS providing server 75 in operation S1405.

The SNS providing server 75 confirms information on a friends list of the video display device 100 and whether each friend watches a main AV content on the basis of the friend relationship information and received content identifiers in operation S1407.

FIG. 40 is a signal flow when a video display device obtains a friends list and watching information according to another embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 40, if a video display device of a friend A plays a main AV content A, it transmits an identifier of the friend A to the SNS providing server 75 in operation S1501, and transmits the main AV content A to the ACR sever in operation S1503. The ACR server 77 may be one of a watermark server 21, a fingerprint server 22, an enhanced service information providing server 40, and an enhanced service providing sever 50.

Additionally, if a video display device of a friend B plays the main AV content A, it transmits an identifier of the friend B to the SNS providing server 75 in operation S1505, and transmits the main AV content A to the ACR sever 77 in operation S1507.

The video display device 100 transmits a user ID to the SNS providing server 75 in operation 1509.

Then, the SNS providing server 75 provides a friend list corresponding to the user ID to the ACR server 75 in operation S1511.

Moreover, if the video display device 100 plays the main AV content A, it transmits a user ID and an identifier of the main AV content A to the ACR server 75 in operation S1513.

The ACR server 75 confirms information on the friends list of the video display device 100 and whether each friend watches a main AV content on the basis of the friends list corresponding to the user ID and content identifier, and then, provides the confirmed information to the video display device 100 in operation S1515.

Then, a preference display sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 41 to 42.

FIG. 41 is flowchart illustrating a preference displaying method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1601.

Once a preference display sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1602, the video display device 100 obtains a preference display list including a plurality of preference display items on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1603. Here, the preference display item may include preview or a preview address. The preview may be an image or a short video. The preview may be directly provided from a broadcaster through Open API, or may be obtained by a search engine of an internet service, or obtained by extracting only a necessary portion from an internet server of a broadcaster. An image corresponding to a core scene in several min of a time interval may be provided or one image for one program may be provided.

The video display device 100 displays the obtained preference display list on the additional information area 360 in operation S1607. A display example of the viewer list will be described with reference to FIG. 42.

FIG. 42 is a screen when a preference display sub menu of a social main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 42, the video display device 100 may display previews in a preference display list and “Like it” buttons for preference display on the additional information area 360.

Once the “Like it” button corresponding to one preference display item is selected in operation S1609, the video display device 100 posts a preview and simple text corresponding to the selected preference display item on SNS such as Facebook in operation S1611. Here, the simple text may be automatically generated, or may be inputted through a remote controller or an input device of a second device.

Hereinafter, a recommendation main menu of a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 43 to 46.

The recommendation main menu corresponds to a time insensitive area. Like the UI of the program main menu, the recommendation main menu does not operate in a UI manner that an application is automatically displayed and disappears at a specific time. Of course, through this menu, the above-mentioned time linked application may be displayed but if a recommendation menu is selected, another service may be linked.

The recommendation main menu may include a previous episode sub menu, a VOD sub menu, and an application sub menu.

FIG. 43 is flowchart illustrating a digital media downloading method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1701.

Once a recommendation main menu of a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1702, the video display device manufacturer application obtains a digital media list on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1703. If the previous episode sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a previous episode list. If the VOD sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a VOD list that relates to a main AV content or a provider of the main AV content recommends. If the application sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a VOD list that relates to a main AV content or a provider of the main AV content recommends. Here, the digital media list may include a preview, a preview address, and an icon related image.

The video display device manufacturer application displays the obtained digital media list on the additional information area 360 in operation S1707.

An example of a previous episode list is described with reference to FIG. 44.

FIG. 44 is a screen when a previous episode sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 44, the video display device 100 displays previews and titles of a previous episode list on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display a previous episode without user's manipulation.

A display example of the VOD list will be described with reference to FIG. 45.

FIG. 45 is a screen when a VOD sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 45, the video display device 100 displays previews and titles of a VOD list on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display VOD related to a main AV content without user's manipulation.

A display example of the application list will be described with reference to FIG. 46.

FIG. 46 is a screen when an application sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 46, the video display device 100 displays icons and application names of the application list on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display applications related to a main AV content without user's manipulation.

Once one item is selected from the digital media list in operation S1709, the video display device manufacturer application downloads a digital media corresponding to the selected item in operation S1711. At this point, the video display device 100 may download the digital media after payment. If the selected item is a previous episode or VOD, the video display device 100 may play the downloaded digital media. If the selected item is an application, the video display device may automatically play the downloaded application or may play it through a user's selection.

Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device may download digital media through simple manipulation.

Hereinafter, a catalog main menu of a video display device manufacturer application will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 47 to 50.

The catalog main menu corresponds to a time insensitive area. Like the UI of the program main menu, the catalog main menu does not operate in a UI manner that an application is automatically displayed and disappears at a specific time. Of course, through this menu, the above-mentioned time linked application may be displayed but if a catalog menu is selected, another service may be linked.

The catalog main menu may include a style sub menu, a music sub menu, and another sub menu.

FIG. 47 is flowchart illustrating a catalog displaying method according to an embodiment.

The video display device 100 extracts some intervals of a main AV content and obtains content information on the basis of the extracted intervals in operation S1801.

Once a sub menu of a catalog main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected in operation S1802, the video display device manufacturer application obtains a catalog list on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1803. If the style sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a clothing catalog list that relates to a main AV content or a provider of the main AV content recommends. If the music sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a music catalog list that relates to a main AV content or a provider of the main AV content recommends. If the other sub menu is selected, the video display device 100 obtains a products or places catalog list that relates to a main AV content or a provider of the main AV content recommends. Here, the digital media list may include a related image, price information, description, and coupon. The coupon may be numbers or QR codes. The video display device 100 may display coupons only when a user watches a main AV content, or may allow a user to use it during the available period after storing it on the memory 150.

The video display device manufacturer application displays the obtained catalog list on the additional information area 360 in operation S1807.

A display example of the clothing catalog list will be described with reference to FIG. 48.

FIG. 48 is a screen when a style sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 48, the video display device 100 displays maker information, price information, of description information of clothing related to a main AV content on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display a clothing catalog related to a main AV content without user's manipulation.

An example of a music catalog list is described with reference to FIG. 49.

FIG. 49 is a screen when a music sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 49, the video display device 100 displays singer information, price information, and description information of music related to a main AV content on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display a music catalog related to a main AV content without user's manipulation.

A display example of another catalog list will be described with reference to FIG. 50.

FIG. 50 is a screen when another sub menu of a recommendation main menu in a video display device manufacturer application is selected according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 50, the video display device 100 displays price information and description information of products and places related to a main AV content on the additional information area 360. Like this, according to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may automatically search and display a products or places catalog related to a main AV content without user's manipulation.

Once one item is selected from the catalog list in operation S1809, the video display device manufacturer application displays a purchase item corresponding to the selected item in operation S1811.

Like this, according to an embodiment, a user may purchase products through simple manipulation.

A post purchase review button and a bookmark button may be disposed at each item in the catalog list.

Once the post purchase review button is selected, the video display device 100 may display a post use review of a product on the additional information are 360. Additionally, a user may write a post purchase review.

Additionally, after bookmarking a specific item through the bookmark button, a user may recommend the bookmarked item through a viewer list sub menu of a social main menu.

In this case, the video display device 100 may provide bookmark item information to the ACR server 77 or SNS providing server 75.

Then, the video display device 100 of a user receiving the recommendation obtains content information on the basis of the extracted interval from a main AV content, and may display a recommendation message such as “this product is recommended by a friend U” if the main AV content corresponds to an advertisement of the recommended item on the basis of the obtained content information. Additionally, instead of a recommendation message, a short video may be displayed.

Then, an on/off control of an ACR function will be described according to an embodiment with reference to FIGS. 51 and 52.

FIG. 51 is a view of a user interface for controlling an ACR function according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 51, the play controlling unit 113 displays an ACR function setting window. A user may activate or deactivate the ACR function through the ACR function setting window.

When the ACR function is activated, a user may select an ACR mode. The ACR mode may be set with one of an auto playing application mode, a content provider application mode, and a video display device manufacturer application mode.

When the ACR function mode is set in the above manner, the play controlling unit 113 stores setting information on a setting information storage unit 154.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a video display device according to the embodiment.

The enhanced service management unit 130 confirms whether the ACR function is turned on in operation S1901.

If the ACR function is deactivated, the enhanced service management unit 130 does not perform a content information obtaining procedure any more.

If the ACR function is activated, the enhanced service management unit 130 extracts some intervals of a main AV content in operation S1902.

The enhanced service management unit 130 obtains content information of the main AV content on the basis of the extracted interval in operation S1903.

The enhanced service management unit 130 synchronizes the reference time of the main AV content with the reference time of an alternative advertisement in operation S1905.

The enhanced service management unit 130 obtains an enhanced service on the basis of the obtained content information in operation S1907. The enhanced service management unit 130 obtains enhanced service information on the basis of the content information, and then obtains an enhanced service on the basis of the enhanced service information.

Then, the enhanced service management unit 130 confirms the ACR mode in operation S1909.

The enhanced service management unit 130 plays the enhanced service according to the ACR mode in operation S1911.

In more detail, if the ACR mode is an automatic play application mode, the enhanced service management unit 130 executes an automatic play application, and the executed automatic play application plays the obtained enhanced service.

If the ACR mode is the content provider application mode, the enhanced service management unit 130 executes a content provider application corresponding to the obtained content information in background. The enhanced service management unit 130 displays a content provider application when receiving a user input corresponding to an enhanced service use. This content provider application may play the obtained enhanced service. Instead that the content provider application is automatically executed in background, it may be executed by a user input.

If the ACR mode is the video display device manufacturer application mode, the enhanced service management unit 130 executes its video display device manufacturer application in background. The enhanced service management unit 130 displays the video display device manufacturer application when receiving a user input corresponding to an enhanced service use. This video display device manufacturer application may play the obtained enhanced service. Instead that the video display device manufacturer application is automatically executed in background, it may be executed by a user input.

Hereinafter, a method of receiving an enhanced service and a video display device thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 53 to 77. Overlapping description related to FIGS. 1 to 52 will be omitted for conciseness.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced service according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 53, the video display device 100 receives an AV content in operation S2001, and extracts first feature information from the received AV content in operation S2002.

In more detail, the video display device 100 may extract feature information such as signature from some video frames or a section of audio samples of the received AV content.

Then, the video display device 100 transmits the extracted first feature information to the first server in operation S2003, and receives a database (DB) including at least one of content information, enhanced service information, and enhanced service, which are related to the first feature information, from the first server 52004.

In more detail, the video display device 100 accesses the fingerprint server 22 corresponding to a predetermined fingerprint server address to transmit a query including the extracted first feature information, and the fingerprint server 22 may sequentially transmit a content database related to the first feature information in reply to the query.

The fingerprint server 22 identifies an AV content (for example, a program that a user watches currently) played in the video display device 100 by using the first feature information received from the video display device 100, and then sequentially transmits all content information or enhanced service information related to the AV content to the video display device 100, starting from information corresponding to the feature information.

The content information sequentially transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 may have the format described with reference to FIG. 7, and may include content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp).

Additionally, the enhanced service sequentially transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 may include enhanced service address information for accessing the enhanced service providing server 50 that provides enhanced service or an enhanced service information providing server address information for accessing the enhanced service information providing server 40 that provides an address of the enhanced service providing server 50.

In the above case, the content database sequentially transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 may include a plurality of information having the format of FIG. 7.

Additionally, the fingerprint server 22 identifies an AV content (for example, a program that a user watches currently) played in the video display device 100 by using the first feature information received from the video display device 100, and then sequentially transmits all enhanced services related to the AV content to the video display device 100.

Each enhanced service sequentially transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 may include an available enhanced service file.

That is, the fingerprint server 22 does not provide only one of content information, enhanced service information, and enhanced service corresponding to the first feature information received from the video display device 100, to the video display device 100, but provides all database related to the received AV content in internal database, to the video display device 100.

Then, the video display device 100 stores the database received from the first server in the memory in operation S2005.

After all database related to the AV content is received from the fingerprint server 22 and then is stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100, the feature information extracted from the received AV content is not transmitted to the fingerprint server 22 and is searched first in the database stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100.

Moreover, in order to improve search efficiency when the database is searched later using the feature information, a database transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 may be stored in the memory in a transmission order. A linear search method using the feature information or content identification information (Content ID) as a key element may be available.

Additionally, the video display device 100 may obtain a transmission period of data transmitted from the fingerprint server 22 by using UpdateMode and PollingCycle field values of Signaling Channel Information in a query result format as shown in FIG. 7.

After receiving the database, the video display device 100 extracts second feature information from the currently received AV content in operation S2006, and searches and obtains one of content information, enhanced service information, and enhanced service corresponding to the extracted second feature information, from the database in operation S2007.

Moreover, if the content information, enhanced service information, and enhanced service corresponding to the extracted second feature information are not in the database stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100, the video display device 100 transmits a query including the second extraction information to the fingerprint server 22 to receive a database related to the second extraction information and store it in the memory.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 54 to 57, a method of receiving an enhanced service by using a database stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100 will be described according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 54, the video display device 100 may include a receiving unit 161, a feature extracting unit 162, a DB searching unit 163, a database 164, and a data transmitting/receiving unit 165.

The receiving unit 161 receives an AV content, and the feature extracting unit 162 extracts feature information from the received AV content.

Additionally, the data transmitting/receiving unit 165 transmits the extracted feature information to the fingerprint server 22, and then receives a database related to the feature information from the database fingerprint server 22.

Moreover, the received database 164 may be stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100.

For example, when the database 164 generated in the video display device 100 includes a plurality of feature information and a plurality of content identification information (Content ID) corresponding thereto respectively, the DB searching unit 163 receives the feature information of the currently received AV content from the feature extracting unit 162, and then, searches content identification information corresponding to the feature information from the database 164.

Moreover, the data transmitting/receiving unit 165 transmits the content identification information (Content ID) obtained through the DB searching unit 163 to the fingerprint server 22, in order to obtain an address of the enhanced service information providing server 40.

Then, the data transmitting/receiving unit 165 accesses the enhanced service information providing server 40 by using the obtained address to obtain an address of the enhanced service providing server 50, and then accesses the enhanced service providing server 50 to receive an enhanced service.

According to another embodiment, when the database 164 generated in the video display device 100 includes a plurality of feature information and addresses of the enhanced service information providing servers 40 corresponding thereto, the DB searching unit 163 may search an address of the enhanced service information providing server 40 from the database 164 by using the feature information inputted from the feature extracting unit 162.

In this case, after an address of the enhanced service providing server 50 is obtained by accessing the enhanced service information providing server 40 through the searched address, the enhanced service may be received by accessing the enhanced service providing server 50.

Referring to FIG. 55, when the database 164 generated in the video display device 100 includes a plurality of feature information and enhanced service access information (i.e., addresses of the enhanced service providing servers 50) corresponding thereto respectively, the DB searching unit 163 may search an address of the enhanced service information providing server 50 from the database 164 by using the feature information inputted from the feature extracting unit 162.

In this case, the DB searching unit 163 accesses the enhanced service providing server 50 by using the searched address to receive an enhanced service.

Referring to FIG. 56, when the database 164 generated in the video display device 100 includes a plurality of feature information and enhanced service files corresponding thereto respectively, the DB searching unit 163 may search the database by using the feature information inputted from the feature extracting unit 162 to obtain an enhanced service corresponding to the extracted information.

Moreover, when a channel receiving the AV content is changed, after a predetermined time from the channel change elapses, the database 164 stored in the internal memory of the video display device 100 may be deleted.

For example, the database 164 is not deleted immediately after the channel change, it may be deleted after the maximum 30 min elapses based on the time information (NTPtimStamp) of the channel change timing.

Additionally, when the changed channel returns to the previous channel after the channel change, the video display device 100 may transmit a query including feature information to the fingerprint server 22 if there is no information corresponding to the feature information after searching the database 164 stored in the memory first.

A method of receiving an enhanced service by using the database in the video display device 100 was described as a fingerprint based content recognizing manner, with reference to the FIGS. 53 to 56, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, this method also may be applicable to the watermark based content recognizing manner described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIG. 57, the watermark extracting unit 166 of the video display device 100 extracts watermark information inserted in the received AV content. The DB searching unit 163 may search the database 164 by using the extracted watermark information, and may receive an enhanced service by using the content information or enhanced service information, which is obtained by searching the database 164.

For example, the DB searching unit 163 searches the database 164 by using content identification information (Content ID) on the AC content extracted by the watermark extraction unit 166 to obtain enhanced service access information (i.e., an address of the enhanced service providing server 50), and the data transmitting/receiving unit 165 may access the enhanced service providing server 50 by using the obtained access information to receive an enhanced service.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced service according to a second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 58, the video display device 100 receives an AV content in operation S2101, and extracts first feature information from the received AV content in operation S2102.

Then, the video display device 100 transmits the extracted first feature information to the first server in operation S2103, and receives content information corresponding to the first feature information from the first server S2104.

For example, the first server may be the fingerprint server 22, and the information received in operation S2104 may have the query result format described with reference to FIG. 7.

In this case, the video display device 100 may extract content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp) from the query result received from the fingerprint server 22, and then, may store them therein.

Then, the video display device 100 extracts second feature information of the received AV content in operation S2105, transmits the extracted second feature information in addition to the content information previously received from the first server to the first server in operation S2106, and then, receives content information corresponding to the second feature information from the first server in operation S2017.

Referring to FIG. 59, the video display device 100 does not transmit only the extracted second feature information to the fingerprint server 22 in operation S2106. That is, the video display device 100 transmits to the fingerprint server 22 a query including both the second feature information and the content information (for example, content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp)) previously received in operation S2104 according to the first feature information.

Moreover, the fingerprint server 22 searches the internal database by using the feature information (for example, the second feature information) received from the video display device 100, the content identification information (Content ID), and the time information (timestamp), and then, transmits a query result corresponding thereto to the video display device 100.

According to an embodiment, in order to improve database search speed and efficiency in the fingerprint server 22, a new search database including content information only related to the feature information (for example, the first feature information) first received from the video display device 100 may be generated.

Referring to FIG. 60, the fingerprint server 22 may include a database including a plurality of feature information, content information (for example, content identification information (Content ID), time information (Start time and End time), content related naming information such as Show names, Episode names, and Broadcasters) corresponding thereto, respectively.

In this case, after receiving the first featuring information from the video display device 100, the fingerprint server 22 may generate a new search database only including content information on feature information that includes the content identification information (Content ID) corresponding to the first feature information.

For example, when the first feature information received from the video display device 100 is “xyzACB123” and the content identification information (Content ID) corresponding to the first feature information is “Content1234”, a new search database only including content information on content identification information (Content ID) having “Content1234” as shown in FIG. 61 may be generated in the fingerprint server 22.

Then, with respect to the next feature information (for example, the second feature information) received from the video display device 100, the fingerprint server 22 may perform search by using the newly generated search database.

In the above, the case that the video display device 100 transmits feature information in addition to previously received identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp) to the fingerprint server 22 was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 62, the video display device 100 transmits to the fingerprint server 22 a query including feature information (for example, the second feature information) extracted from a currently received AV content and previously received content identification information (Content ID), and searches the newly generated search database of FIG. 61 by using the received feature information and content identification information (Content ID).

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 63, the video display device 100 transmits to the fingerprint server 22 a query only including feature information (for example, the second feature information) extracted from a currently received AV content, and the fingerprint server 22 searches the newly generated search database of FIG. 61 by using the received feature information.

In this case, the fingerprint server 22 caches a query result corresponding to the first received feature information (for example, the first feature information) therein, and searches the newly generated search database by using the received feature information (for example, the second feature information) and the query result cached therein.

For example, the query result cached in the fingerprint server 22 may include content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp) corresponding to the first feature information.

A method of performing search by using a newly generated database in the fingerprint server 22 was described as a fingerprint based content recognizing manner, with reference to the FIGS. 58 to 63, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, this method also may be applicable to the watermark based content recognizing manner described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Moreover, broadcasters, i.e., content providers, may provide content information after making a contract with at least one of a plurality of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) service providers, and the ACR service providers may use respectively different recognition methods.

An AV content generated according to the respectively different content recognition methods is required to be processed by an ACR module supporting each corresponding recognition method.

Accordingly, each ACR service provider provides an ACR module supporting a content recognition method that it uses to the video display device 100, and the video display device 100 inputs an AV content related to the ACR service provider to a corresponding ACR module to obtain content information.

For example, in the case of the fingerprint based content recognizing manner, the video display device 100 samples the received uncompressed AV content for a predetermined time to extract feature information (e.g., signature) of a video area or a pattern of an audio area. The feature information may be differently extracted according to a specific content recognizing manner.

That is, solutions for the content recognizing techniques are developed diversely. Since the content recognizing techniques extract patterns, i.e., feature information, from the uncompressed AV content through respectively different algorithms, the extracted pattern may vary according to each algorithm.

According to an embodiment, the video display device 100 may include a plurality of ACR modules supporting respectively different recognizing manners, and may select one corresponding to a received AV content from the plurality of ACR modules to obtain content identification information on the AV content.

Referring to FIG. 64, a plurality of broadcasting stations 11, 12, and 13 may provide content information to at least one of a plurality of ACR service providers 23, 24, and 25, and the ACR service providers 23, 24, and 25 may provide a content recognizing service to the video display device 100 according to respectively different content recognizing manners.

The video display device 100 may include a plurality of ACR modules 171, 172, and 173 supporting the content recognizing manners that each of the ACR service providers 23, 24, and 25 uses.

For example, a first broadcasting station 11 provides information on an AV content that it transmits to a first ACR service provider 11 and a second ACR service provider 24, and accordingly, a first ACR module 171 and a second ACR module 172 corresponding to the respective first and second ACR service providers 23 and 24 are downloaded into the video display device 100.

In this case, the AV content received from the first broadcasting station 11 may be recognized by one of the first and second ACR modules 171 and 172 in the video display device 100.

Additionally, the second broadcasting station 12 provides content information to the second and third ACR service providers 24 and 25, and accordingly, the second ACR module 172 and the third ACR module 173 corresponding to the respective second and third ACR service providers 24 and 25 are downloaded into the video display device 100.

In this case, the AV content received from the second broadcasting station 12 may be recognized by one of the second and third ACR modules 172 and 173 in the video display device 100.

Moreover, the AV content received from the third broadcasting station 13 may be recognized by the third ACR module 173 in the video display device 100.

For this, the video display device 100 includes a memory storage for storing a plurality of ACR modules 171, 172, and 173, and recognizes the number and kinds of ACR modules that a corresponding device may receive through a pre-stored internet address.

Unlike this, the video display device 100 may store an internet address of each broadcasting station in advance, and may recognize the number of kinds of ACR modules that a corresponding device may receive through an internet address of a corresponding broadcasting station.

Moreover, the ACR modules may provide a broadcaster list for content information provided through each corresponding module, and the ACR module may be downloaded in the video display device 100 through one of a manufacturer, a broadcaster, and an ACR service provider of the video display device 100.

For example, if a manufacturer of the video display device 100 provides an ACR module, the video display device 100 may receive a list of installable ACR modules through a predetermined internet address as power is on.

The received list includes version information of each module. When a corresponding module is already installed in the video display device 100, it is determined whether update is made or not after comparing the installed ACR module with version information of a module in the list.

Moreover, when a corresponding module is not installed in the video display device 100, a new ACR module is downloaded and installed.

Additionally, when an ACR module not in the received list is installed in the video display device 100, it means that a corresponding module is no longer necessary so that it may be deleted from the video display device 100.

Moreover, when a broadcaster provides an ACR module, the video display device 100 receives a list of ACR modules supporting a corresponding broadcaster through a predetermined broadcaster internet address as power is on.

After receiving an ACR module list for each of broadcasters, the video display device 100 may include a list of the minimum ACR modules for processing contents of the broadcasters.

Then, the video display device 100 downloads ACR modules according to the list.

Referring to FIG. 65, a video of an AV content received as an external input through an external interface 174 of the video display device 100 may include a data block having a plurality of video frames in pixel unit, provided from a video processing unit 175.

Moreover, an audio of the received AV content may include data block having a digitized sound pitch provided from Pulse Coding Modulation (PCM) of an audio processing unit 176.

As mentioned above, when the video and audio format of the received AV content is unified and standardized, since contents inputted to the plurality of ACR modules 171, 172, and 173 have the same format, the video display device 100 may be easily developed.

Furthermore, the ACR module 171 recognizes a data block inputted from the video processing unit 175 or the audio processing unit 176 according to a specific algorithm, so thereby outputting information on the AV content, for example, content identification information (Content ID).

In addition, content information outputted from the ACR module 171 may be converted into the standardized format through the output processing unit 177.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart illustrating a method of receiving an enhanced service according to a third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 66, the video display device 100 receives an AV content in operation S2201, and selects a plurality of ACR modules supporting respectively different recognizing manners according to a predetermined priority in operation S2202.

For example, the video display device 100 inquires a list of the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173 therein, and then, sequentially inputs the received AV content (in more detail, a data block inputted from the video processing unit 175 or the audio processing unit 176) into the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173.

Moreover, an order of the inputted AV content may follow the predetermined priority, and the priority may be determined according to one of channel watching timing, channel preference, and the number of channels.

For example, the AV content is inputted to an ACR module for providing content information on the most recent watching channel among the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173, and then, the AV content is sequentially inputted according to a fast order of the watching timing.

Additionally, the AV content is inputted to an ACR module for providing content information on the most watched channel among the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173, and then, the AV content is sequentially inputted according to the number of watching.

Additionally, the AV content is inputted to an ACR module for providing content information on the most watched channel among the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173, and then, the AV content is sequentially inputted starting from the largest one according to the number of watching.

Moreover, the control unit (not shown) in the video display device 100 may sequentially confirm which one of the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173 recognizes the AV content according to an inputted order of the AV content.

According to the confirmed result, if one of the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173 recognizes the AV content, that is, if the content identification information (for example, Content ID) on the AV content is outputted from the ACR module, the control unit may select a corresponding ACR module among the ACR modules 171, 172, and 173.

Then, content identification information on the AV content obtained using the selected ACR module is transmitted to the server in operation S2204, and an enhanced service corresponding to the content identification information is received in operation S2205.

Since a method of receiving an enhanced service corresponding to content identification information in operation S2205 is identical to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, its detailed description will be omitted.

As mentioned above, the video display device 100 includes three ACR modules according to an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the video display device may include two or more than four ACR modules.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 64, a plurality of ACR modules may have a similar function. Since content recognition needs to be automatically performed, an ACR module may be required to operate in background of the video display device 100.

According to another embodiment, the video display device 100 may not include a plurality of ACR modules and may include one common module for a plurality of content recognizing manners.

Referring to FIG. 67, the video display device 100 sets at least one sampling parameter for extracting some samples from an AV content in operation S2301, and then obtains a sample by sampling an AV content according to the set parameter in operation S2302.

Then, the video display device 100 transmits the obtained sample to a server in operation S2303, and receives content identification information on the AV content from the server in operation S2304.

For example, the video display device 100 may transmit raw data of the AV content for extracting an actual bit pattern such as feature information to a server, in order to reduce the load for a plurality of ACR modules.

Accordingly, the video display device 100 may include only a module for obtaining raw data, which is to be transmitted to the server, from the received AV content, regardless of a content recognizing manner.

Moreover, the server processes the raw data received from the video display device 100, and then, provides a query result including content identification information on the AV content to the video display device 100.

In this case, since patterns of necessary data may vary according to a content recognizing manner, the video display device 100 and the server may negotiate and determine a pattern of the transmitted/received raw data in advance.

In more detail, the video display device 100 may sample the received AV content as the raw data, and then transmits the obtained video sample or audio sample as it is to the server.

In this case, the video display device 100 may negotiate with the server and set at least one sampling parameter for extracting a sample from an AV content, and the sampling parameter may include a sampling time having information on how long the AV content is sampled to obtain a sample.

That is, if the sampling time is not sufficiently long, a content matching result processed in the server may not be accurate, and if it is excessively long, a network transmission time and a processing time in the server may be unnecessarily increased.

Additionally, the sampling parameter may include attribute information on a video or audio sample transmitted from the video display device 100.

For example, in the case of a video sample, sampling parameters may include an aspect ratio and position of a sampled area, the number of frames per sec, a compression format, and a sampling time.

Referring to FIG. 68, the video sample may be obtained by sampling an entire area (for example, 1920×1080 in the case of an HD video) of the screen 181 of the AV content or a portion of the screen 181.

For example, the sampled area may be positioned on the top right where a title of the corresponding content appears frequently, and the position of the sampled area may be disposed using the coordinates of a specific point of the screen 181.

Additionally, when an entire area of the screen 181 is sampled, the sampled video sample is resized to smaller one, and then, is transmitted to the server.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 69, the video sample may be obtained by sampling a plurality of areas (for example, areas at the four direction edges 182, 183, 184, and 185) in the screen 181.

Moreover, the number of frames per sec of the video sample may be 24, 30, or 60, and is determined based on whether time is sensitive in content recognition.

Moreover, the video display device 100 may transmit the video sample to the server without or with compression, and when the video sample is transmitted with compression, information (for example, h.264, mpeg2-ts, and wmv) on the compression file format is determined in negotiation with the server.

Furthermore, when the video sample is transmitted without compression, information on RGB bit pattern or an YPbPr bit pattern may be required.

The determining of the sampling parameters may be affected by hardware performance of the video display device 100 and processing performance of the server, and an amount of transmitted data may be adjusted according to CPU performance and memory capacity of the video display device 100.

Moreover, in the case of the audio sample, the sampling parameters may include the number of bits per sample, a sampling frequency and a frequency band, the number of channels, a sampling time, and a compression format.

For example, the number of bits per sample is the number of bits applied to one audio sample such as 16 bits or 32 bits, and the sampling frequency may be 4,4100 Hz, 4,800 Hz or 14,000 Hz as a frequency when the audio sample is sampled

Additionally, the number of audio channels is a mono 1 channel, a stereo 2 channel, or a 5.1 channel. The sampling frequency band is a frequency area used for extracting the audio sample may include a low frequency region (about 20 Hz to about 1000 Hz), a human voice region (about 200 to about 2000 Hz), a middle band of about 10000 Hz, and a high frequency region of about 20000 Hz.

In more detail, a frequency band used according to a content recognizing manner may vary. That is, entire bands or some bands may be used, and various bands may be used together.

Moreover, the video display device 100 may transmit the audio sample to the server without or with compression, and when the audio sample is transmitted with compression, information (for example, mp3, mpeg2-ts, and wmv) on the compression file format is determined in negotiation with the server.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 70 to 75, a method of determining the sampling parameter as the video display device 100 negotiates with the server will be described according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 70, the video display device 100 transmits a plurality of sampling parameter values that the video display device 100 supports to the ACR server 27 in operation S2401.

For example, the video display device 100 may transmit a query including at least one value that it may support to each of the sampling parameters to the ACR server 27, as described with reference to FIGS. 67 to 69.

Referring to FIG. 71, in the case of an uncompressed audio sample, the video display device 100 may transmit to the ACR server 27 information on the number of bits per sampling that it supports such as 16 bits and 32 bits, a supportable sampling frequency such as 44100 Hz and 48000 Hz, the number of supportable channels such as mono and stereo.

Moreover, the ACR server 27 selects one of the parameter values from the video display device 100 according to its hardware performance in operation S2402, and transmits the selected parameter value to the video display device 100 in operation S2403.

When the query in FIG. 71 is received from the video display device 100, the ACR server 27 selects one of the parameter values supported by the video display device 100 as shown in FIG. 72, and then transmits the selected on in addition to the sampling time information as a reply to the video display device 100.

According to a negotiation process in operation S2401 to operation S2403, the video display device 100 sets the sampling parameters by using the values selected by the ACR server 27.

Then, the video display device 100 generates a sample by sampling the AV content according to the set sampling parameters, and transmits the generated sample to the ACR server in operation S2404 and operation S2406. The ACR server 27 transmits content identification information on the AV content to the video display device 100 by using the transmitted sample in operation S2405 and operation S2407.

For example, the ACR server 27 extracts a pattern of feature information (signature) from the sample transmitted from the video display device 100, and transmits a result matching to the pattern to the video display device 100.

Moreover, the matched result in the ACR server 27 may be the query result as shown in FIG. 7, and for example, may include content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp).

In the case of a compressed video sample, the video display device 100 transmits a query including information as shown in FIG. 73 to the ACR server 27, and then, receives a relay including information as shown in FIG. 74 from the ACR server 27 to set the sampling parameter.

Moreover, referring to FIG. 75, during a negotiation process between the video display device and the ACR server 27, when the video display device 100 requests an ACR session connection to the ACR server 27 in operation S2501, the ACR server 27 transmits the supportable parameter values to the video display device in operation S2502. The video display device 100 may select one of the values that the ACR server 27 supports to the ACR server 27 in operation S2503.

FIG. 76 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video display device 100 for sampling an AV content according to the set parameter. The video display device 100 includes a receiving unit 191, a sampling unit 192, a parameter setting unit 193, and a data transmitting/receiving unit 194.

Referring to FIG. 76, the parameter setting unit 193 may set at least one sampling parameter for extracting some samples from the AV content by using the method described with reference to FIGS. 67 to 75.

Moreover, the sampling unit 192 may sample the received AV content from the receiving unit 191 according to the setting parameter, and then, obtain a sample.

Additionally, the data transmitting/receiving unit 194 transmits the obtained sample to the ACR server 27, and then receives content identification information on the received AV content from the ACR server 27.

FIG. 77 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ACR server 27 for identifying a content by using a sample received from a video display device. The ACR server 27 includes a data transmitting/receiving unit 301, a pattern extracting unit 302, a pattern matching unit 303, and a database 304.

Referring to FIG. 77, the pattern extracting unit 302 may extract a pattern (for example, a signature of a bit pattern) of feature information from a sample received from the video display device 100 through the data transmitting/receiving unit 301, according to the set sampling parameter.

Moreover, the pattern matching unit 303 may search the database 304 by using the extracted pattern, and may obtain a query result including a matched result such as content identification information (Content ID) and time information (timestamp).

Structures of video display devices according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to FIG. 78 and FIG. 79.

FIG. 78 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a fingerprint-based video display device according to another embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 78, a tuner 501 extracts a symbol from an 8-VSB RF signal transmitted through an air channel.

An 8-VSB demodulator 503 demodulates the 8-VSB symbol that the tuner 501 extracts and restores meaningful digital data.

A VSB decoder 505 decodes the digital data that the 8-VSB demodulator 503 to restore an ATSC main service and ATSC M/H service.

An MPEG-2 TP Demux 507 filters a Transport Packet that the video display device 100 is to process from an MPEG-2 Transport Packet transmitted through an 8-VSB signal or an MPEG-2 Transport Packet stored in a PVR Storage to relay the filtered Transport Packet into a processing module.

A PES decoder 539 buffers and restores a Packetized Elementary Stream transmitted through an MPEG-2 Transport Stream.

A PSI/PSIP decoder 541 buffers and analyzes PSI/PSIP Section Data transmitted through an MPEG-2 Transport Stream. The analyzed PSI/PSIP data are collected by a Service Manager (not shown), and then, is stored in DB in a form of Service Map and Guide data.

A DSMCC Section Buffer/Handler 511 buffers and processes DSMCC Section Data for file transmission through MPEG-2 TP and IP Datagram encapsulation.

An IP/UDP Datagram Buffer/Header Parser 513 buffers and restores IP Datagram, which is encapsulated through DSMCC Addressable section and transmitted through MPEG-2 TP to analyze the Header of each Datagram. Additionally, an IP/UDP Datagram Buffer/Header Parser 513 buffers and restores UDP Datagram transmitted through IP Datagram, and then analyzes and processes the restored UDP Header.

A Stream component handler 557 may include ES Buffer/Handler, PCR Handler, STC module, Descrambler, CA Stream Buffer/Handler, and Service Signaling Section Buffer/Handler.

The ES Buffer/Handler buffers and restores an Elementary Stream such as Video and Audio data transmitted in a PES form to deliver it to a proper A/V Decoder.

The PCR Handler processes Program Clock Reference (PCR) Data used for Time synchronization of Audio and Video Stream.

The STC module corrects Clock values of the A/V decoders by using a Reference Clock value received through PCR Handler to perform Time Synchronization.

When scrambling is applied to the received IP Datagram, the Descrambler restores data of Payload by using Encryption key delivered from the CA Stream Handler.

The CA Stream Buffer/Handler buffers and processes Data such as Key values for Descrambling of EMM and ECM, which are transmitted for a Conditional Access function through MPEG-2 TS or IP Stream. An output of the CA Stream Buffer/Handler is delivered to the Descrambler, and then, the descrambler descrambles MPEG-2 TP or IP Datagram, which carriers A/V Data and File Data.

The Service Signaling Section Buffer/Handler buffers, restores, and analyzes NRT Service Signaling Channel Section Data transmitted in a form of IP Datagram. The Service Manager (not shown) collects the analyzed NRT Service Signaling Channel Section data and stores them in DB in a form of Service Map and Guide data.

The A/V Decoder 561 decodes the Audio/Video data received through an ES Handler to present them to a user.

An MPEG-2 Service Demux (not shown) may include an MPEG-2 TP Buffer/Parser, a Descrambler, and a PVR Storage module.

An MPEG-2 TP Buffer/Parser (not shown) buffers and restores an MPEG-2 Transport Packet transmitted through an 8-VSB signal, and also detects and processes a Transport Packet Header.

The Descrambler restores the data of Payload by using an Encryption key, which is delivered from the CA Stream Handler, on the Scramble applied Packet payload in the MPEG-2 TP.

The PVR Storage module stores an MPEG-2 TP received through an 8-VSB signal at the user's request and outputs an MPEG-2 TP at the user's request. The PVR storage module may be controlled by the PVR manager (not shown).

The File Handler 551 may include an ALC/LCT Buffer/Parser, an FDT Handler, an XML Parser, a File Reconstruction Buffer, a Decompressor, a File Decoder, and a File Storage.

The ALC/LCT Buffer/Parser buffers and restores ALC/LCT data transmitted through a UDP/IP Stream, and analyzes a Header and Header extension of ALC/LCT. The ALC/LCT Buffer/Parser may be controlled by an NRT Service Manager (not shown).

The FDT Handler analyzes and processes a File Description Table of FLUTE protocol transmitted through an ALC/LCT session. The FDT Handler may be controlled by an NRT Service Manager (not shown).

The XML Parser analyzes an XML Document transmitted through an ALC/LCT session, and then, delivers the analyzed data to a proper module such as an FDT Handler and an SG Handler.

The File Reconstruction Buffer restores a file transmitted through an ALC/LCT, FLUTE session.

If a file transmitted through an ALC/LCT and FLUTE session is compressed, the Decompressor performs a process to decompress the file.

The File Decoder decodes a file restored in the File Reconstruction Buffer, a file decompressed in the decompressor, or a film extracted from the File Storage.

The File Storage stores or extracts a restored file if necessary.

The M/W Engine (not shown) processes data such as a file, which is not an A/V Stream transmitted through DSMCC Section and IP Datagram. The M/W Engine delivers the processed data to a Presentation Manager module.

The SG Handler (not shown) collects and analyzes Service Guide data transmitted in an XML Document form, and then, delivers them to the EPG Manager.

The Service Manager (not shown) collects and analyzes PSI/PSIP Data transmitted through an MPEG-2 Transport Stream and Service Signaling Section Data transmitted through an IP Stream, so as to produce a Service Map. The Service Manager (not shown) stores the produced service map in a Service Map & Guide Database, and controls an access to a Service that a user wants. The Service Manager is controlled by the Operation Controller (not shown), and controls the Tuner 501, the MPEG-2 TP Demux 507, and the IP Datagram Buffer/Handler 513.

The NRT Service Manager (not shown) performs an overall management on the NRT service transmitted in an object/file form through a FLUTE session. The NRT Service Manager (not shown) may control the FDT Handler and File Storage.

The Application Manager (not shown) performs overall management on Application data transmitted in a form of object and file.

The UI Manager (not shown) delivers a user input to an Operation Controller through a User Interface, and starts a process for a service that a user requests.

The Operation Controller (not shown) processes a command of a user, which is received through a UI Manager, and allows a Manager of a necessary module to perform a corresponding action.

The Fingerprint Extractor 565 extracts fingerprint feature information from an AV stream.

The Fingerprint Comparator 567 compares the feature information extracted by the Fingerprint Extractor with a Reference fingerprint to find an identical content. The Fingerprint Comparator 567 may use a Reference fingerprint DB stored in local and may query a Fingerprint query server on the internet to receive a result. The matched result data obtained by a comparison result may be delivered to Application and used.

As an ACR function managing module or an application module providing an enhanced service on the basis of ACR, the Application 569 identifies a broadcast content in watching to provide an enhanced service related to it.

FIG. 79 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a watermark-based video display device according to another embodiment.

Although the watermark-based video display device of FIG. 79 is similar to the fingerprint-based video display device of FIG. 78, the fingerprint-based video display device does not includes the Fingerprint Extractor 565 and the Fingerprint Comparator 567, but further includes the Watermark Extractor 566.

The Watermark Extractor 566 extracts data inserted in a watermark form from an Audio/Video stream. The extracted data may be delivered to an Application and may be used.

Moreover, the above methods of the present invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as data transmission through the Internet).

The configurations and methods of the above-described embodiments are applied to the video display device without any restriction, and all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined to have various modifications. 

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A video display device comprising: a display unit; a receiving unit configured to obtain a broadcast content; and a control unit configured to execute automatic content recognition (ACR) application, wherein the control unit is further configured to: extract one or more video frames from the broadcast content, transmit a first query including the one or more video frames to a first server, obtain an address of a second server based on the first query, and transmit, to the second server, a second query based on the address of the second server, and obtain an enhanced service based on the second query, wherein the display unit displays the obtained enhanced service overlaid on the broadcast content, wherein the enhanced service is a voting event related to the broadcast content.
 10. The video display device according to claim 9, wherein the voting event is time-related to the broadcast content,
 11. The video display device according to claim 9, wherein the enhanced service is displayed semi-transparently.
 12. The video display device according to claim 9, wherein the display unit displays a notification message for notifying the voting event.
 13. The video display device according to claim 12, wherein the display unit displays a button with the notification message, wherein the display unit displays enhanced information related to the enhanced service, if an input of user for the button is received.
 14. The video display device according to claim 13, wherein the display unit displays a voting question with an user interface for receiving an user input for voting question.
 15. The video display device according to claim 14, wherein the display unit displays a voting result with the voting question.
 16. The video display device according to claim 9, wherein the receiving unit includes a tuner to receive a broadcast signal including the broadcast content.
 17. The video display device according to claim 9, wherein the broadcast content is uncompressed video content.
 18. An operating method of a video display device comprising: obtaining a broadcast content through a receiving unit; extracting one or more video frames from the broadcast content; transmitting a first query including the one or more video frames to a first server; obtaining an address of a second server based on the first query; transmitting, to the second server, a second query based on the address of the second server; obtaining an enhanced service based on the second query; and displaying the enhanced service overlaid on the broadcast content, wherein the enhanced service is a voting event related to the broadcast content.
 19. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 18, wherein the voting event is time-related to the broadcast content.
 20. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 18, wherein the enhanced service is displayed semi-transparently.
 21. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 18, wherein the displaying the enhanced service overlaid on the broadcast content comprises, displaying a notification message for notifying the voting event.
 22. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 21, wherein the displaying a notification message for notifying the voting event comprises, displaying a button with the notification message, and displaying enhanced information related to the enhanced service, if an input of user for the button is received.
 23. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 22, wherein the displaying the enhanced service overlaid on the broadcast content comprises displaying a voting question with an user interface for receiving an user input for voting question.
 24. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 23, wherein the displaying the voting question comprises, displaying a voting result with the voting question.
 25. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 18, the obtaining the broadcast content comprises: receiving a broadcast signal including the broadcast content though a tuner.
 26. The operating method of the video display device according to claim 18, wherein the broadcast content is uncompressed video content. 